J. R. Sakuragi: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 18:53, 27 February 2009

J.R. Sakuragi (Japanese: 桜木ジェイアール), born Milton "J.R." Henderson (October 30 1976 in Bakersfield, California, USA), is a naturalized Japanese professional basketball player.

Raised in Bakersfield, Sakuragi played college basketball at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and was a member of their 1995 National Championship team. He was named to the All-Pac-10 First Team during his sophomore and senior seasons, and averaged 14.2 points per game in his four-year career at the school. He was selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 2nd round (56th pick) of the 1998 NBA Draft where he played one season.^[1]

In 2001, Sakuragi moved to Japan to play for the Aisin Seahorses of the JBL Super League, averaging 21.5 points and 11.6 rebounds per game in 2006.^[1]

Sakuragi application to become a Japanese citizen cleared on July 2, 2007, and he changed his name from J.R. Henderson to J.R. Sakuragi. He chose his new name for two reasons: firstly for the famous Japanese sakura cherry blossoms, and secondly because it corresponded to the name of Sakuragi Hanamichi, the protagonist of the popular basketball manga Slam Dunk.^[1]^[2]

Sakuragi will play for the Japan national basketball team as they compete in the FIBA Asia Championship, a qualifier for the 2008 Summer Olympics.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Kaz Nagatsuka, Former UCLA player gets Japanese citizenship, spot on national hoops team, The Japan Times, July 17, 2007.
^ ^a ^b Jerry Crowe, Former Bruin a true citizen of the world, Los Angeles Times, July 24, 2007. Cite error: The named reference "LAT072407" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).

}

This biographical article relating to a sportsperson from Japan is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This biographical article relating to an Asian basketball figure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[JT-1] Kaz Nagatsuka, Former UCLA player gets Japanese citizenship, spot on national hoops team, The Japan Times, July 17, 2007.

[LAT072407-2] Jerry Crowe, Former Bruin a true citizen of the world, Los Angeles Times, July 24, 2007. Cite error: The named reference "LAT072407" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 In 2001, Sakuragi moved to Japan to play for the [[Aisin Seahorses]] of the [[JBL Super League]], averaging 21.5 points and 11.6 rebounds per game in 2006.<ref name=JT>Kaz Nagatsuka, [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/rss/sk20070717a1.html Former UCLA player gets Japanese citizenship, spot on national hoops team], ''The Japan Times'', July 17, 2007.</ref>
-Sakuragi application to [[naturalization|become]] a [[Japan|Japanese citizen]] cleared on [[July 2]], [[2007]], and he changed his name from J.R. Henderson to J.R. Sakuragi.<ref name=JT>Kaz Nagatsuka, [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/rss/sk20070717a1.html Former UCLA player gets Japanese citizenship, spot on national hoops team], ''The Japan Times'', July 17, 2007.</ref><ref name=LAT072407>Jerry Crowe, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jul/24/sports/sp-crowe24 Former Bruin a true citizen of the world], ''Los Angeles Times'', July 24, 2007.</ref>
+Sakuragi application to [[naturalization|become]] a [[Japan|Japanese citizen]] cleared on [[July 2]], [[2007]], and he changed his name from J.R. Henderson to J.R. Sakuragi. He chose his new name for two reasons: firstly for the famous Japanese [[sakura]] cherry blossoms, and secondly because it corresponded to the name of ''Sakuragi Hanamichi'', the protagonist of the popular basketball manga ''[[Slam Dunk (manga)|Slam Dunk]]''.<ref name=JT>Kaz Nagatsuka, [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/rss/sk20070717a1.html Former UCLA player gets Japanese citizenship, spot on national hoops team], ''The Japan Times'', July 17, 2007.</ref><ref name=LAT072407>Jerry Crowe, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jul/24/sports/sp-crowe24 Former Bruin a true citizen of the world], ''Los Angeles Times'', July 24, 2007.</ref>
 Sakuragi will play for the [[Japan national basketball team]] as they compete in the [[FIBA Asia Championship]], a qualifier for the [[2008 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=LAT072407>Jerry Crowe, [http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-crowe24jul24,1,3614788.story Former Bruin finds security in his adopted homeland], ''Los Angeles Times'', July 24, 2007.</ref>

Revision as of 18:53, 27 February 2009

See also

References