Masashi Kawata

From Hoopedia

Year: 3rd Year

Height: 190 cm

Jersey Number: #7

Position: Center

Masashi is considered the top high school center in Japan. Unlike a traditional center, he possesses speed and long-range shooting ability to complement his height, power and rebounding. Masashi was initially quite short as a first-year student (165 cm), but rapidly grew over the next two years (25 cm); as his height increased he played different positions. This provided him with the opportunity to develop skills other centers lack. When Shohoku meets Sannoh in the National Tournament, Akagi is completely outplayed by Masashi and concedes that Masashi is the better player. His younger brother Mikio is also on the team. Masashi seems to be a bit jealous of Sawakita's popularity with the girls. Sakuragi calls him "Gori-ball" ("because he looks like a round-shaped Gori", as he explains to Mikio).