1. Overview
Masahiro Narita (成田 正弘Narita MasahiroJapanese, born April 13, 1994) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. Primarily playing as a point guard, Narita was recognized for his collegiate career at Takushoku University, where he earned accolades such as the Three-Point King and the Excellent Player Award. He began his professional career as a specially designated player, competing in the B.League for FE Nagoya before joining the Akita Northern Happinets. After contributing to both teams, Narita retired from professional basketball following the 2018-19 season. His career also included representing Japan at the U18 level and in the Universiade.
2. Early Life and Education
Masahiro Narita was born on April 13, 1994, in Kanie-cho, Kaifu District, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. For his foundational education, he attended Kanie Junior High School and later Fujieda Meisei High School. During his high school tenure at Fujieda Meisei, Narita demonstrated considerable skill in basketball, helping his team advance to the top 8 in the All-Japan High School Athletic Federation General Sports Tournament (Inter-High). In 2012, while in his third year of high school, he was selected to play for the U18 Japan national team. He competed in the U18 Men's Asia Championship, where he notably scored 31 points in the quarter-final match against Chinese Taipei, including a crucial game-winning three-point field goal.
In April 2012, Narita enrolled at Takushoku University to continue his studies and basketball career. Upon joining the university's team, he transitioned his primary playing position from shooting guard to point guard, a role he maintained throughout his career.
3. Playing Career
Masahiro Narita's basketball journey included impactful periods as both an amateur and a professional player, showcasing his growth and versatility on the court.
3.1. Amateur Career
During his time at Takushoku University, Masahiro Narita was a pivotal member of the basketball squad. In 2015, he played a significant role in guiding his team to the semi-finals of the 67th All-Japan University Basketball Championship. His individual achievements were further highlighted in 2016 at the Kanto University Basketball Championship, where his exceptional three-point shooting earned him the Three-Point King title, and his overall performance led to him being selected for the Excellent Player Award.
3.2. Professional Career
Masahiro Narita began his professional journey in January 2017, during his final year at Takushoku University, when he signed as a specially designated player with FE Nagoya, a team competing in the B2 division of the B.League. In his debut season, 2016-17, he participated in 26 games, averaging 5.2 points per game. He continued to play for FE Nagoya in the 2017-18 season, where he appeared in 48 games and improved his scoring average to 6.1 points per game.
In June 2018, Narita transferred to the Akita Northern Happinets, a team that had recently secured promotion to the B1 league. He played for Akita throughout the 2018-19 season. Throughout his professional career, Narita primarily played as a point guard, utilizing his skills in ball-handling and playmaking.
4. Personal Life and Episodes
Masahiro Narita is affectionately known by his nickname "Masa" (まさJapanese). An interesting detail from his collegiate days is that he wore jersey number 39 while at Takushoku University, a number three times larger than his professional jersey number. Basketball is a significant part of the Narita family; his older brother also plays, participating in the Somecity Nagoya event, and his younger sister achieved a national championship in basketball during her junior high school years. Narita stands 69 in (174 cm) tall and weighs 159 lb (72 kg).
5. Retirement
Masahiro Narita formally concluded his professional basketball playing career after the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. His retirement came after his tenure with the Akita Northern Happinets, marking the end of his active participation in the B.League.
6. Career Statistics
The following tables detail Masahiro Narita's key statistical performances throughout his basketball career, categorized by game type.
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | TO | Turnovers per game | PPG | Points per game |
| Bold | Career high |
6.1. Non-FIBA Event Statistics
Statistics recorded in international or special tournaments not sanctioned by FIBA.
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Universiade | 8 | 5.29 | .429 | .333 | .000 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.9 |
6.2. Regular Season Statistics
Statistics recorded during B.League regular season games.
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | FE Nagoya | 26 | 2 | 18.9 | 31.5 | 30.0 | 65.5 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 5.2 |
| 2017-18 | FE Nagoya | 48 | 33 | 22.9 | 33.2 | 27.9 | 67.5 | 1.8 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 6.1 |
| 2018-19 | Akita | 53 | 20 | 14.4 | 25.8 | 22.8 | 75.0 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 3.0 | |
| Career | 127 | 55 | 18.5 | .306 | .268 | .694 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 4.6 | ||
6.3. Early Cup Games Statistics
Statistics recorded during early cup games within Japan.
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Akita | 2 | 0 | 28.12 | .143 | .333 | .500 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0 | 2.5 |
6.4. Preseason Games Statistics
Statistics recorded during preseason games held before the regular season.
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Akita | 2 | 1 | 17.8 | .429 | .500 | .333 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 4.5 |