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Chicago Steam Hosts Japanese Pro-Basketball Hopeful

May 24, 2011 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Chicago Steam News Release


Chicago, IL - The Chicago Steam played host this past weekend to a pro-basketball hopeful from Japan who came to America to pursue his dreams in the wake of the devastating Tsunami that washed away his hometown.

Kouki Matsuda, a 21-year-old ball player from Sapporo Hokkaido, Japan, came to Chicago to tryout for The Steam at the encouragement of his grandfather who wanted him to pursue a career as a professional basketball player. Tragically, Kouki's grandfather was lost in the Tsunami that destroyed his hometown in March. Despite the enormous challenges he faces in rebuilding after the tragedy, Kouki was determined to pursue his basketball dreams in memory of his grandfather. And after researching a variety of teams, Kouki chose The Chicago Steam to help him make his dream a reality.

Kouki spent several days with The Steam, working out with team trainers and getting to know Chicago with the help of his new teammates. He plans to return to Chicago to play for the Steam during the regular season.

In an emotional address to his teammates before heading back to Japan, Kouki said he was grateful to The Steam for affording him the opportunity to play pro basketball.

"My grandfather, he washed away in the Tsunami and he always said that he wanted me to come to America to play basketball and I came here for him," he said, through tears. "Thank you to Mr. Ron and you [teammates] for having me here and for helping me."

Team owner Ron Hicks said it was a pleasure to host such a promising young player as Kouki and that his story of survival touched everyone in the gym. . "Kouki is a fine young man whose story serves as inspiration for the entire Chicago Steam organization," Hicks said. "We're very happy that he's now part of The Chicago Steam family."

After his workouts, Kouki was given a team care package that included a uniform, shooting shirt and backpack. In return, Kouki left his new team with a copy of a stylized version of the Japanese flag that Kouki created to support the Tsunami relief efforts as well as photographs of the Tsunami aftermath in his hometown.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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