バスケに夢中！齋藤アリンゼ陽選手　八村塁選手も認めた県高校トッププレイヤー　母への感謝を胸に飛躍

This is Fukushima TV's official news channel. Please subscribe to our channel and stay up-to-date with the latest news from Fukushima Prefecture. #Fukushima #News Introducing a top high school player from Fukushima Prefecture, aspiring to become a professional basketball player. Behind his success lies the support of his mother, who has supported his development. ■A Talent Recognized by Hachimura Haru Saito, a third-year student at Fukushima Toryo High School, displays a dreadlocked, graceful performance. He's an all-around player, excelling on both offense and defense as a small forward. Arinze was selected as one of the 16 players to participate in "BLACK SAMURAI 2025 THE CAMP," hosted by NBA Lakers player Rui Hachimura, in August 2025. He led the team with 14 points among the nation's top junior and senior high school players. "The biggest boost in my confidence was hearing Rui tell me directly after the game, 'You were really good,'" Arinze recalls. Regarding his own strengths, he said, "There aren't many high school players who can use their handling and physical ability to drive (break through the defense), so I think that's one of my strengths." ■Growth as Captain The Fukushima Toryo High School basketball team has 76 members. It's a strong school that has participated in the Winter Cup three years in a row. In December 2025, Arinze competed in his final national tournament as captain, but unfortunately lost in the third round. He has since retired from the basketball team. Yamamoto Yo, advisor for the Fukushima Toryo High School basketball team, said, "As captain, I think he's grown a lot in communicating what he wants to do to his teammates. If he continues to maintain that same attitude toward practice in college, I think he'll probably become a B-League player. I'm looking forward to seeing him." ■ Thanks to his mother's support "You said you wanted to be captain, right? Back then, you said, 'If you follow me, I'll bring the Winter Cup back next year.' You were never good at speaking in front of people anyway." Looking back on the high school life they shared together, his mother, Makiko, felt the "toughness" she gained over those three years. When he was seven years old, his mother took him to a Fukushima Firebonds game. Seeing the shining foreign players inspired him to start playing basketball. After he became obsessed with basketball, she even took him to the US to watch an NBA game. His son quickly rose to prominence, even participating in Hachimura's training camp. "Watching Hachimura's training camp and games was the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life," he said, expressing his pride in his son. Arinze said, "The reason I'm able to continue playing basketball today is because of my mother's support. I'm truly grateful for that, and I hope to repay her by becoming a professional." After graduation, Arinze will be attending a university outside of Fukushima Prefecture. With the support of those who have always supported him, he will continue to shoot towards his dream.