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SMALL COLLEGE NOTEBOOK

Tabuse’s not
short on ambition

Brigham Young-Hawaii's relatively short and slender men's basketball player Yuta Tabuse appears ill-equipped to shoulder the expectations of an entire nation.

Already recognized as one of the best players in Japan after a standout prep career, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound, redshirt freshman point guard decided to take on that task by bringing his skills to America, the land from which the game was born. Sumo is still the national sport of Japan and baseball probably the most popular import, but basketball has become increasingly popular in the country due to the globalization of the NBA.

Currently with the Division II Seasiders, Tabuse would like to become the first player from Japan to play Division I basketball should he compete successfully while at BYUH in the next couple of years.

"I wanted to try to play basketball in America because level is much higher than in Japan," Tabuse said. "I thought would be good experience for me and improve my basketball skills. But there is pressure (to succeed). Everyone (from Japan) tells me I have to be popular and succeed in basketball here because I'm popular person in Japan."

A city boy from Akita Prefecture, where he led Noshiro Kogyo high school to all three national championship crowns in each of his three years there, Tabuse ironically chose the country atmosphere of Laie for his collegiate career.

According to Tabuse, the consistent recruiting pitch from BYUH coach Ken Wagner along with the school's strong English program convinced him to join the Seasiders two summers ago.

Ineligible for the team last season due to insufficient grades in English, Tabuse was set to join the team this season when he aggravated a back injury over the summer. As a result, he still has yet to see game action as a collegian.

Tabuse's injury has healed to the point where he was able to jog without pain on Monday, and he said he should be able to participate in full practices in a week or two. Tabuse is eager for real game competition, though Wagner has said that he will slowly work him into the lineup and that Tabuse will have to earn his minutes, despite being "an incredible little player."

Tabuse acknowledges his size disadvantage. He also concedes that he needs to improve his defense, long-range shooting skills and memorization of set offensive plays after running only a motion offense in high school.

But like his favorite player Magic Johnson, Tabuse does not lack confidence while still having a dose of humility, loves to pass and fastbreak, and has the desire to win.

"I have confidence to play with them (American players)," Tabuse said. "I think I can play well when I'm on the court. I want to be the playmaker (for BYUH) and I want to be a champion."

Tabuse has aspirations to play professionally and someday coach. He is unsure of exactly where, but knows that he wants to be close to the game for the rest of his life.

"I want to make career and life of basketball," Tabuse said. "I would like to play professionally anywhere and after retire playing, I want to teach basketball. I want to spread basketball and make popular as I can in Japan."

The Seasiders (6-3) open their Pacific West Conference schedule at Cannon Activities Center tonight against Humboldt State before meeting Western Oregon, also at home Saturday night.

Streaking

The other three local schools begin their PacWest schedules at home tonight as well, with games on tap for Saturday. All three are riding winning streaks entering conference play.

Chaminade (6-3), winner of six straight contests, opens with Western Washington tonight before facing Seattle Pacific on Saturday, both at McCabe Gymnasium.

Hawaii-Hilo (5-4), winner of five straight, opens with Seattle Pacific tonight before tangling with Western Washington on Saturday, both at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Hawaii-Pacific (5-4), winner of four straight, opens with Western Oregon tonight at the Neal Blaisdell Center before meeting Humboldt State on Saturday at Mid-Pacific Institute Gymnasium.

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Brandon Lee,
Special to the Star-Bulletin