Shuto Sakihama Joins Ryukyu Golden Kings For Upcoming Season

On March 18, 2025, the Ryukyu Golden Kings announced the addition of 19-year-old Shuto Sakihama as a special designated player under a professional contract for the upcoming 2024-25 B League season. Scheduled to join the top team on March 28, 2025, Sakihama’s signing has generated excitement about his potential impact on the league.

Born on May 8, 2005, and hailing from Okinawa Prefecture, Sakihama stands at 178 cm tall and weighs 84 kg. Known for his exceptional scoring ability, he played as the point guard during his tenure at Fukuoka Daichi High School. He led them to victory at the SoftBank Winter Cup 2023 and gained recognition as a key player. His skills and performance earned him the opportunity to represent Japan at the 'FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup' held in Spain in 2022.

Shuto Sakihama had been studying at Centotow Thomas More School in the United States as part of the 17th Slam Dunk Scholarship program, where he also continued to hone his basketball skills.

The signing of Sakihama aligns with Ryukyu Golden Kings’ ambitions to maintain their competitive edge within the league. The team recognizes the diverse talent he brings and his experience is expected to contribute significantly to their success.

Sakihama expressed his gratitude during the announcement, stating, "I am grateful to the Ryukyu Golden Kings people for giving me the opportunity to play for such a fantastic and historically significant team running at the top of the league. I will learn many things and do my best every day so I can become the kind of point guard who can lead the team to victory, like my idol Kishimoto." His commitment to development and to contributing positively to the team dynamic is evident from his remarks.

Before his move to the US, Sakihama already had ties to the Golden Kings, having trained with their U18 team. This connection previously established is seen as beneficial for his smooth transition back to professional basketball upon his return to Japan.

Notably, after initially securing admission to Merrimack University, Sakihama decided to end his commitment last November, leading to speculation about his professional future. His subsequent decision to return to Japan and join the Golden Kings appears to be the most strategic move for both him and the team moving forward.

With several key pieces to the roster already secured, the Kings are eager to integrate Sakihama’s high-energy playstyle, which includes both strong defensive skills and possessed speed - attributes highly desirable for any point guard. Experts and fans alike are watching to see how quickly Sakihama will adapt to the rigorous demands of the B League.

Sakihama's proficiency at creating scoring opportunities and defending against opponents is anticipated to help strengthen Ryukyu’s performance this season and possibly lead them to greater success. His past achievements suggest he is highly capable, and the franchise is optimistic about his future contributions.

All eyes will be on Sakihama as he joins the team on March 28. His return to the Ryukyu Golden Kings is seen as not just beneficial for him but also for basketball throughout Okinawa. The anticipation reflects the hope of fostering local talent and giving players originating from the region, like Sakihama, the platforms they need to succeed.