'Japanese Steph Curry' Keisei Tominaga just wants to enjoy basketball – and fulfil his NBA dream

SINGAPORE: The man some call the Japanese Stephen Curry has more in common with one of the greatest-ever basketball players, than just the ability to let it fly from distance.

Keisei Tominaga shares the same height, same jersey number in college and same kind of joy when he takes to the court.

Earlier this year, the 23-year-old even signed a multi-year deal with Curry's brand, becoming the first international athlete to do so.

His dream is to one day play in the same league as the star of the National Basketball Association team Golden State Warriors.

"Just making the NBA; stepping on an NBA court," he told CNA on Friday (Sep 13). "After that, I might have a different goal, but right now it is to make it to the NBA for sure."

Tominaga is in Singapore with a selection of players from the NBA's G League, who are competing in the 2024 International Basketball Federation or FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

The G League is the official minor league organisation of the NBA.

In Tominaga's G League United debut last week, the guard finished with 12 points in 17 minutes, making three 3-pointers. 

In Singapore, the team made progressed to the tournament final before falling to Spanish side Unicaja. Tominaga averaged eight minutes and two points in the FIBA competition.

"I dont think that it's like that big (a) difference from (college basketball)," said the former University of Nebraska–Lincoln star.

"But obviously ... I still need to have more experience."

Tominaga's love for basketball began from a young age. 

Both his parents played basketball at a high level, with his father Hiroyuki representing Japan at the 1998 FIBA World Championship and playing professionally for a number of years.

"The reason I started basketball is because of him," said