Letter From The Editor
By Melissa Matsuura Kuyama

My journey into the Asian basketball world began when I was 9 years old. The basketball league as it exists today is very different than when I first entered it. As most people who know me would attest, I was never particularly good at the game - in fact, I was particularly BAD at playing. However, I did enjoy the camaraderie of the program. Did you ever wonder how the whole basketball league has evolved itself into its current state?

Originally, the basketball program began for the Japanese community as a recreational outlet for Japanese Americans who because of segregation and smaller stature would be unable to participate competitively in other leagues such as the high school basketball programs. There were several leagues in existence: the Japanese Church League in Sacramento and the Nisei Athletic Union (NAU). The NAU was established for the out-of-high school players and consisted of teams throughout California. The teams in the NAU had rules and regulations on eligibility requirements. All of this has changed ... there are no longer strict eligibility requirements, the leagues and tournaments are more competitive and players are able to compete at the high school level now.

Despite the politics of the basketball programs, there are many benefits of the basketball program. Camaraderie is most important. Brian Bedford the coach of the Sacramento Barons 2004 Boys stated it perfectly, "my job as a coach is not just to win games but to provide my players life skills.” This is what the program should be about. I understand how easy it is to get caught up in the WIN/WIN situation but for someone who was involved in the program for over 30 years - it's not the games won that are remembered years later but the friends you have made that ultimately last a lifetime.

As my children participate in the basketball program, it is a thrill for me to meet up with other players from past tournaments who now have children who are participating in the program. The SASF Tournament is like a huge reunion for many players from past years. Last November as we were preparing for the SASF Basketball Tournament, I received an inquiry through e-mail from a father in Southern California named Bobby Ideishi. The name was familiar to me but I could not place his face. After an exchange of several e-mails, I found out that Bobby use to play for the L.A Lakers (not the NBA Lakers but the NAU Lakers) under business mogul Seiji Isomoto. Mr. Isomoto was "the man" everyone wanted to play for in L.A. and he always had the best teams and the coolest uniforms!

Bobby was interested in entering his 10-year old daughter's team into the SASF Tournament. The team, Venice Red Hots played in the Girls D Division. They did well at the tournament but Bobby was seeing players he used to play against. Bobby stated "I arrived at the gym, I saw Dennis Murata and Mike Ota whom I haven't seen in over 20 years. I recognized them instantly. After catching up on our current lives, I asked Dennis how best to get to another school and after consulting with a gentleman sitting next to him, he proceeded to tell me. Then after the game, he brought over a piece of paper with a hand-drawn map on it. It is kind gestures like this that remind me of why I have been so fortunate to have participated in all the tournaments in years past. To meet and establish friendships with great people that I would not have even become acquainted with had it not been for the Asian-American Community Basketball program. It is absolutely essential that we provide something for our children to aspire to and perpetuate in regards to the Asian American community that we grew up in." This is what the program is about. In twenty years, no one will remember the games that were won but our jobs as parents is to provide our kids a positive and fun experience and sharing with our kids one of the greatest experiences that our culture can provide.

Bobby Ideishi was in the Twin Towers in New York on September 11, 2001. This life altering experience is documented in a article written by Bobby himself. I hope each of you will take the time to read his gripping article located at <http://www.sasfquest.org/wtc.htm>. It will make each of us stop and think about how important a win in that next basketball game is and remember the true importance of life.