Kai Toews

Kai Toews (テーブス海, born September 17, 1998) is a Japanese professional basketball player who currently plays for the Utsunomiya Brex of the B. League. His cousin Jonathan Toews plays for the Chicago Blackhawks.[1]

Kai Toews
No. 7 – Utsunomiya Brex
PositionPoint guard
LeagueB. League
Personal information
Born (1998-09-17) 17 September 1998
Tokyo, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeUNC Wilmington (2018–2019)
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–presentUtsunomiya Brex
Career highlights and awards
  • CAA All-Rookie Team (2019)
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Japan
William Jones Cup
2019 Taiwan

Early life

Toews grew up playing soccer before starting to play basketball in fourth grade. His father, former professional player BT Toews, taught him the fundamentals of the game.[2] Growing up, Toews cited Allen Iverson as his favorite basketball player.[3] Toews attended Keihoku High School for his freshman and sophomore years and was recruited by Japanese universities but had higher ambitions.[4] Toews moved to the United States and attended the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts for two years.[3] In his senior season, Toews helped the team to a 31–4 record and the New England Prep Class AAA Championship, earned honorable mention All-NEPSAC honors.[1] UNC Wilmington coach C.B. McGrath offered Toews a scholarship, after seeing him play when McGrath was an assistant at North Carolina.[2]

College career

On November 25, 2018, Toews had a career-high 14 assists against Eastern Illinois.[4] As a freshman, Toews started 32 of 33 games and averaged 8.8 points, 7.7 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. He finished second in NCAA Division I in assists per game, behind only Murray State's Ja Morant. He set the Colonial Athletic Association single-season assists record with 253 and was named to the CAA All-Rookie Team.[3] Toews was a finalist for the 2019 Kyle Macy Award presented by CollegeInsider.com to the nation's top freshman basketball player.[2] In his sophomore season, Toews started 12 of 13 games for UNC Wilmington and averaged 5.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game.[5] After the team's game against Vanderbilt on December 21, 2019, Toews announced he was leaving the team to pursue professional opportunities. “Obviously, it was a total surprise to us,” coach McGrath said.[3] Toews finished his career with 362 points, 112 rebounds and 309 assists.[5]

Professional career

On January 10, 2020, Toews sign a professional contract with the Utsunomiya Brex in Japan.[6]

National team career

Toews has played for Japan's Under-15 and Under-19 national teams.[3] Toews competed for Japan in the 2019 William Jones Cup in Taiwan.[7]

References
  1. "Winter Athletes Finish Triumphant Season". Northfield Mount Hermon School. March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  2. Jenkins, Venita (October 19, 2019). "Kai Toews '22". UNC Wilmington. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  3. Odeven, Ed (December 24, 2019). "UNCW's Kai Toews leaves school to pursue pro career in Japan". Japan Times. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  4. Odeven, Ed (January 24, 2019). "UNC Wilmington's Kai Toews bursts onto scene as dynamic passer in freshman season". Japan Times. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  5. "PG Toews leaving UNCW to pursue professional basketball career". WECT. December 23, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  6. Smist, John (January 10, 2020). "Kai Toews signs professional contract". WECT. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  7. Nagatsuka, Kaz (June 15, 2019). "Japan coaches thinking long term for young hoop prospects". Japan Times. Retrieved March 27, 2020.


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