Kuroko’s Basketballhas garnered a massive following due to its intriguing plot and memorable characters. The series follows the journey of a high school basketball team as they navigate through various obstacles to become champions. This article takes a closer look at the best shooting guards inKuroko’s Basketball, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact on the game.
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Shooting guards hold a crucial position on basketball teams, and their performance is integral to the success of the team. A skilled shooting guard should possess exceptional ball-handling skills, shooting accuracy, and quick reflexes to adapt to changing game situations. By exploring the skills and abilities of the best shooting guards inKuroko’s Basketball, readers willgain a deeper appreciation for the sportand the art of playing the position.
10Kazuhiro Mochizuki
Kazuhiro Mochizuki is a talented basketball player who plays the shooting guard position for Fukuda Sōgō Academy. Kazuhiro, who first appears in the 56th episode, is renowned for his shooting skills. He is a self-assured and dependable teammate, often taking the lead in the team’s offensive strategies.
His ‘Scoop Shot,’ a remarkable underhand shot he executes with amazing accuracy, is his defining move. Mochizuki scored the opening two points for his team in the game against Kaij High with a scoop shot. He is one of the best shooting guards in the series thanks to his skill and dedication to the game.
9Hiroshi Yamazaki
Hiroshi Yamazaki is a shooting guard at Kirisaki Daiichi High, renowned for his mastery of the hook shot. This one-handed shot requires the player to release the ball above their head with the hand furthest from the hoop while standing right beside the basket.
Unlike many players whouse fancy tricks, Hiroshi has refined his natural athletic talent and technique, allowing him to consistently perform at a high level. His impressive physical stamina and mental fortitude have earned him the admiration of his teammates and coaches.
8Shinya Nakamura
Shinya Nakamura is a second-year shooting guard of the Kaijō High team.His contagious excitementfor the game is evident in the zeal with which he supports his teammates when sitting on the sidelines. Despite being a bench player, Nakamura is highly respected for his defensive abilities. Junpei Hyūga noted that Nakamura’s middle school was ranked in the top 8 in the nationals and that he is on par with Seihō High’s Tomoki Tsugawa.
Nakamura’s greatest basketball skill is the ‘Pick and Roll’, a play in which a player creates a screen before pivoting toward the basket to receive a pass. With his impressive ability to execute this play, he is an invaluable asset to the team.
7Tomoki Tsugawa
Seihō High School shooting guard Tomoki Tsugawa is renowned for his steady shooting and solid defensive play. Using his infamous pressure defense, he can limit his opponent’s movements and easily shut down any attempts to make a shot,always with a smile on his face.
His proficiency in shooting off the catch and shoot, coupled with an impressive vertical jump, make him a formidable defender. His remarkable stamina and strength, improved by his martial arts training, further highlight his skill, making him one of the best shooting guards in the series.
6Ryō Sakurai
Ryō Sakurai is the first-year shooting guard of the Tōō Academy team. Sakurai stands out for his quick-release shots which enable him to rapidly release the ball while attempting a jump shot. It is quite difficult for opponents to block his shots in time.
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Sakurai is normally timid and chronically apologetic however he switches to a much more confident and arrogant personality when he plays. His shooting improves and becomes faster when he adopts this personality. Imayoshi points out that this shift takes place as a result of Sakurai’s competitive nature and pride in his shooting guard skills.
5Yoshitaka Moriyama
Yoshitaka Moriyama plays the position of shooting guard for the Kaijō High team. Although Moriyama issilly and flirtatioussometimes, he is dedicated and serious when necessary. His unique shooting form allows him to score three-pointers with minimal interference from defenders. He does his ‘Unorthodox Shot’ by throwing the ball underhanded, which gives the shot an extremely high arc and minimal rotation.
It was explained during the Winter Cup quarter-finals that this form is his most natural shooting posture, and it has evolved into a personal tool. Despite having average physical strength, he has excellent technique which is reinforced by his endurance and mental strength.
4Junpei Hyūga
Junpei Hyūga, the captain and shooting guard of Seirin High, has proven to be a vital player for his team. He holds the distinct position of the team’s clutch player thanks to his amazing shooting accuracy, even while under tremendous pressure. He is proficient as a catch-and-shoot player and in making layups and mid-range shots. His shooting success percentage surpasses that of his teammates, making him one of thebest shooters on the team.
Hyga is a trustworthy and conscientious leader who genuinely cares about his squad. He has the leadership skills necessary to seize control and inspire his teammates, especially under stressful circumstances. His stats are impressive overall, and his technique is exemplary, making him a force to be reckoned with on the court.
3Tatsuya Himuro
Tatsuya Himuro, Yōsen High’s shooting guard, was the one who introduced Taiga Kagami to basketball. He is recognized as being almost as good as the Generation of Miracles. He is great at fake plays due to his outstanding agility, and he nearly never fails to deceive his opponents. His knowledge about faking even gives him the ability to see through another player’s fake play.
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The Mirage Shot is another outstanding ability of Himuro’s. He performs this by shooting the ball twice into the air, with the first shot casting a shadow over the second. The Mirage Shot is so effective because it creates a tiny window of time between the first shot and the actual released shot, which leaves opponents confused. Himuro stands out because he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals and devotes the time and energy necessary to master any skill he sets his sights on.
2Reo Mibuchi
Reo Mibuchi is the shooting guard of Rakuzan High and one ofthe Uncrowned Kings. He is very proficient in shooting, even developing three distinct types of shooting styles. He uses only the Heaven and Earth shooting forms during regular games. He utilizes ‘Oblivion’, his third and most advanced method of shooting when facing an acknowledged foe.
Heaven involves a fade-away shot to avoid defenders, while Earth draws fouls. Oblivion, which disables defenders, is achieved by jumping from a deep squat. Overall, Mibuchi is an exceptional player with excellent technique and remarkable physical strength.
1Shintarō Midorima
Shintarō Midorima, former vice-captain and shooting guard of theGeneration of Miracles, now plays for Shūtoku High, one of the Three Kings of Tokyo. His exceptional accuracy allows him to make shots from virtually anywhere on the court, including beyond the three-point line and even from the opposite side of the court. He can shoot off the catch, sending the ball flying with a very high arc.
In addition to his offensive prowess, Midorima is a skilled defender, able to block shots and make chase-down defense blocks. His defensive abilities were on display when he stopped Kagami’s first dunk attempt during the training camp and when he blocked Hayama in the match against Rakuzan.
