Hirotaka Ohashi Makes Instant Impact at Florida National University

Hialeah, FL – November 10, 2019

If anyone would have told Florida National University’s Head Coach James ‘JJ’ Thatcher that one of his toughest and most important players would come in the smallest package in Hirotaka Ohashi, from Osaka, Japan, he probably would have smiled. Asked about his performance thus far through 8 games where he is averaging 11.2 points, 8.1 assists and 4 rebounds per contest, Coach Thatcher mentioned, “Hiro has been the glue on our team all year. After the first game, he was put into our starting lineup and he’ll be there. His decision making and work ethic are second to none.”

Ohashi has had some impressive outings in his first collegiate season and seems to do best against the highest competition. Hiro netted 20pts, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals in an 88-81 loss against #5 ranked University of Pikeville. He has recorded two double doubles (11pts, 13assists vs Point Park University and 15pts, 10assists vs Nova Southeastern University NCAA D2) and even left the game against NSU early, receiving what FNU coaches and players considered a cheap shot resulting in stitches. Ohashi has flirted with a triple double vs University of North Florida (6pts, 9 assists & 9 rebounds), which is NCAA Division 1 program.

Although FNU has gotten off to a rocky start at 3-5, Coach Thatcher feels confident that his team is in a great position to compete for not only a conference title, but a national one as well. Considering the strength of the front end of FNU’s schedule, he may be right. At this rate, Ohashi is on pace to finish near the top in all of collegiate basketball with his assists and assist to turnover ratio.