Her name is Rui Machida
Some comments on Olympic basketball fromJeff Van Gundy on The Lowe Post podcast:
[The Japanese women] move, they cut, and they jack threes. And then they have these undersized women, who are finishing under, over, and around size.
I mean, for them to get to the Olympic Final, it was absolutely thrilling, and to watch them play…. Of all the teams that played there, I might study the Japanese women’s team. because, to me, they overcame things that just aren’t overcome-able: the size difference…I mean it was incredible.
Like, Brittney Griner against the Japanese point guard…I’m sorry, I forget her last name….because she was not forgettable, she was phenomenal….
But it was like - I mean she was, maybe she was 5-2, 5-1? They were standing next to each other and I’m like ‘how are they competing right now?’ And they were!
(UPDATE: Another good Supercut is here.)
In the Tokyo Olympic Games, point guard Rui Machida led Japan’s women's national basketball team to the silver medal, winning four games against just two losses. Machida also set the Olympic single game assist record with 18, in the semifinal victory over France.
Machida has been called the breakout star of the games, and this makes sense since she’s historically been the backup on the national team. It really has not been her turn until now. But watching her play is a revelation, she has such a complete skill set:
Reliable three point shooter
Curry-esque finishing around the hoop
Great court vision
Can drive and kick to three point shooters
Pinpoint entry passes to the front court, who often finish without having to put the ball on the floor
The hesitation moves!
Japan coach Tom Hovasse said “I am just so happy for Rui. She has always been in the background and is such a shy person and humble beyond belief - for her to get this recognition is fantastic."
Yes, yes it is.
“Rui Machida: From third-string point guard to Olympic record-breaker” - FIBA (link)
VIDEO - “Japan wins big over Nigeria to end women's basketball group play” (link)
VIDEO - “Machida Rui's DAGGER 3 topples Belgium, sends Japan to semis” (link)
VIDEO - “Japan keeps Cinderella run going with semifinal blowout of France” (link)
The Lowe Post, 8/10/21 (link)
Rui Machida Olympic bio (link)