Shinsaku Enomoto (榎本 新作, Enomoto Shinsaku, born 10 April 1998), also known as Isaiah Murphy (アイザイア・マーフィー, Aizaia Māfī), is a Japanese professional basketball player for Hiroshima Dragonflies of the B.League.
 Enomoto with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in 2024 | |
| No. 5 – Hiroshima Dragonflies | |
|---|---|
| Position | Point guard / shooting guard |
| League | B.League |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 10 April 1998 Okinawa, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Listed height | 196 cm (6 ft 5 in) |
| Listed weight | 88 kg (194 lb) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Cienega High School (Vail, Arizona) |
| College |
|
| Playing career | 2020–present |
| Career history | |
| 2020–present | Hiroshima Dragonflies |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Early life
editEnomoto was born in Okinawa to a Japanese mother, Fusako, and an American father, James, who was stationed there while serving in the Air Force.[1][2][3] He moved to Misawa and Anchorage, Alaska before settling in Arizona during his sophomore season of high school.[1][3]
College career
editEnomoto considered joining the Air Force before deciding to attend Pima Community College.[1] As a sophomore, he led the Aztecs to an NJCAA Division II runner-up finish. Enomato averaged 15.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and was selected first team All-ACCAC.[4] Following the season, he transferred to Eastern New Mexico. In his two seasons at Eastern News Mexico, he averaged 8.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.[1]
Professional career
editHiroshima Dragonflies (2020–present)
editOn June 29, 2020, Enomoto signed his first professional contract, a one-year deal, with Hiroshima Dragonflies of the B.League.[4][5] He played in all 55 games, made 44 starts, averaging 9.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 39.5 percent from the field and 31.0 percent from three.[6][7][8] After an impressive rookie campaign, he was named to the B.League Best Five Rookies.[6][7]
On May 13, 2021, Enomoto re-signed with the team for another season.[9]
National team career
editAfter Enomoto's mother sent a highlight reel to the national team assistant coaches, he was invited to a tryout where he made the cut.[3][10] Enomoto first represented Japan at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, where he averaged 3.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.[11] His tournament highlights included a 12-point and 8-rebound outing in a loss to Italy.[3][12]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Nagatsuka, Kaz (22 June 2020). "Japan U-19 wildcard Isaiah Murphy ready to make B. League splash". The Japan Times. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ Pima basketball's Murphy takes talent overseas Erica Weston (KGUN 9), 13 July 2017. Accessed 15 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d "How a mixtape brought Enomoto to Cairo for Japan". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
- ^ a b "(Updated) Former Aztecs men's basketball player Murphy to play professionally for the Hiroshima Dragonflies". Pima Aztecs. June 29, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "榎本新作選手 契約合意（新規）のお知らせ". 広島ドラゴンフライズ (in Japanese). 29 June 2020. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
- ^ a b Morales, Javier (2021-06-07). "Cienega, Pima grad Isaiah Murphy chosen Top 5 rookie in Japanese pro league | ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com". allsportstucson.com. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
- ^ a b "#5 アイザイア・マーフィー選手 新人賞ベストファイブ選出のお知らせ". 広島ドラゴンフライズ (in Japanese). 3 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
- ^ "アイザイア・マーフィー | プレイヤースタッツ | Basketballnavi.DB". stats.basketballnavi.com. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
- ^ "#5アイザイア・マーフィー 選手 契約合意（継続）のお知らせ". 広島ドラゴンフライズ (in Japanese). 13 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
- ^ Brown, P.J. (May 17, 2020). "Rising son: With push from No. 1 fan, former Cienega, Pima College star Isaiah Murphy carving out career in Japan". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "Japan at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
- ^ "Isaiah MURPHY at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
External links
edit- Career statistics from basketballnavi.com
- Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds bio
- Isaiah Murphy at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup at fiba.basketball
- Shinsaku Enomoto on Twitter