Recently graduated college basketball standout Keisei Tominaga said Thursday he is focused on playing for Japan at this summer's Paris Olympics while continuing to aim for the NBA.
In order to represent Japan at the Olympics, the 23-year-old will forgo playing in the NBA Summer League, a significant pathway to earning an NBA roster spot.
"Hopefully I can do well in Paris and get an offer," Tominaga said in an online interview.
A National Collegiate Athletics Association All-Star in his final season for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Tominaga arrived back in Japan on Wednesday following workouts for NBA teams the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls late last month.
He said he was able to show facets of his game other than just the sharp shooting that saw him crowned this year's NCAA three-point contest champion.
"I managed to show my physical strength and other areas I've improved on since last year," said Tominaga, who also had invites to work out for a number of other teams.
The Aichi Prefecture native was nevertheless not overly optimistic about his chances of being among the 58 players selected in the June 26-27 NBA Draft.
"It's looking difficult at the moment," he said.
Tominaga will head into camp with the national team in preparation for the July 26 to Aug. 11 Olympics, where Tom Hovasse's men will aim for a quarterfinal berth.
"The Olympics are special. I want to give 120 percent," he said.
