日本篮球协会(JBA)于 22、23 日在有关男子篮球日本代表队参加世界盃(W盃)的记者会上,对于 八村垒(洛杉矶湖人队)选手以及总教练 汤姆·霍瓦斯(Tom Wayne Hovasse)有关日本队参赛的发言,发表了补充评论。
这件事情是因为在记者会当天,由于发言和应对声明都不是用霍瓦斯总教练的母国语,而是用日语进行的,所以与霍瓦斯总教练的本意稍有不同的内容已经传开,因此协会决定重新解释其内容和真正含意。
【以下为日本男子国家队总教练 汤姆·霍瓦斯 完整评论】
你好,支持日本晓之队(AKATSUKI JAPAN,日本篮球国家队的名称)的大家,我注意到了,有关 9 月 3 日记者会上我对于八村垒选手的发言,被媒体报导成了与我的初衷不同之意,此外,因为日语的表达方式也有些不同,为了避免误解,我决定用英语进行订正。
我之前用日语说到,如果他想为国家队效力、在代表队打球的话「他应该打电话给我们」,这句话对于八村选手未来在日本代表队的情况造成了困惑和混乱,事实上,日本篮球协会(JBA)与八村选手及其管理团队保持着定期联繫,他随时都有资格为 TEAM JAPAN(奥运日本代表队)出赛,他在过去十年对日本代表队的贡献、对于 TEAM JAPAN 的成长至关重要。
此外,在世界盃期间,八村选手也非常支持他的日本代表队队友,在 NBA 赛季期间,我们将继续与八村选手及其管理团队讨论他参加 2024 年巴黎奥运的计划事宜。
在冲绳的世界盃上,代表队取得了巨大的成就,2024 年的巴黎奥运是我们在篮球界迈向更大一步的机会,为了实现这一目标,我们需要大家的力量,感谢大家的支持和协助,让日本团结一心,非常感谢。
【以下为英文原文】
“Hello Akatsuki Japan Nation. I realized recently that some of my comments at the press conference on Sept 3rd regarding Rui Hachimura were reported by the media in a different way from what I intended. I also misstated some things in Japanese which I need to correct. I felt it was best to correct those comments in English so there is no misunderstanding.
I said in Japanese that Rui “should call us” if he wants to play for the national team which created confusion about Rui’s future with the team. In reality, the JBA is in regular communication with Rui and his management team, and Rui has earned the right to play for Team Japan whenever he can. His contributions to the country and Team Japan over the past 10 years were integral in our growth.
He was also very supportive of his teammates throughout the World Cup and the JBA will continue to talk with Rui and his management team during the NBA season about playing in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The World Cup in Okinawa was a great achievement for our team. Paris 2024 is our chance to take an even bigger step in the world of basketball. It will take all of us to get it done. 日本一丸(Nippon Ichigan)…Thank you for all your support and understanding.”