[On-site Interview] "I Have Korean Blood": Why Japanese-Korean Kaneda Chose WKBL... "I Considered Being the Overall No. 1"

*This content was translated by AI.

"I have Korean blood."

Kaneda Mana (28), a Japanese-Korean player, was selected as the overall first pick in the Women's Korean Basketball League (WKBL) rookie draft and will wear the Incheon Shinhan Bank uniform. When asked for the special reason she chose to play in Korea, she cited "Korean blood."

Kaneda was evaluated alongside Im Yeon-seo (Gwangju Supia Girls' High School) as the top prospect of this year's draft. Born in 1998, Kaneda graduated from Osaka University of Human Sciences and played for Shosong V-Magic in Japan's W League from 2020 to 2024, later gaining professional experience with Toyota Antelopes.

Ultimately, Shinhan Bank chose Kaneda, who brings rich practical experience, over Im Yeon-seo, who dominated high school basketball.

Kaneda said, "I did consider the possibility of being selected first overall," but added, "Still, it was a new and grateful feeling to hear my name called first."

She continued, "It is an honor to experience such a draft. I would like to express my gratitude to the team that picked me as the first pick."

For Kaneda, Korea is not simply a new overseas league.

Kaneda's father holds Korean nationality, while her mother holds Japanese nationality. Her mother also previously held Korean citizenship before naturalizing in Japan. Since childhood, Kaneda has naturally developed an interest in Korea and Korean basketball as one of her roots.

Kaneda confessed, "I have Korean blood flowing through me, so I came to love Korean basketball."

Having entered the WKBL stage through this draft, Kaneda stated, "I believe I can showcase Korean basketball even in Japan."

This background also influenced her decision to come to Korea.

Although there was a possibility for Kaneda to join the WKBL through the Asia quota, she ultimately chose to participate directly in the rookie draft as a foreign-national ethnic Korean player.

She explained, "I had the desire to play in Korea. Also, because I have Korean blood, I decided to participate in the rookie draft."

That choice led to the best possible outcome. She secured the title of overall first pick and will now wear the Shinhan Bank uniform.

Choi Yoon-ah, Shinhan Bank's General Director, said, "Kaneda has diverse experience from Japan. We believe she is suitable as an immediate contributor. We have watched her for a long time." He added, "Offensively, she can play positions 2 and 3, and defensively, she can be utilized flexibly from position 1 to 4."

Kaneda stated, "I want to become a player who can contribute to the team whether on defense or offense. I will align with what Coach Choi Yoon-ah wants and help the team achieve victory."

She also prioritized the team over personal ambition regarding positions. She said, "I think positions 2 and 3 suit me best," but added, "On defense, I will always show an active attitude. If the coach has a preferred position for me, I will adapt to it."

In this draft, not only Kaneda but also several foreign-national ethnic Korean players who grew up or were active in Japan submitted their applications. Kaneda expressed special feelings about competing against fellow players with similar backgrounds in the WKBL.

She said, "These are players who came through the same path, and now we may meet as opponents on rival teams," but added, "There is a good feeling knowing that fellow ethnic Korean players are here together."

Looking further into the future, she also harbors dreams of wearing the national team jersey. When asked about the possibility of joining the Korean national team, Kaneda honestly stated, "If given the chance, I would like to try playing for the Korean national team."

However, she clearly set her immediate goal first. She emphasized, "Right now, achieving good results with Shinhan Bank is the most important thing."

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*This content was translated by AI.