Saitama Broncos guard Taishiro Shimizu is entering his prime as a professional basketball player. In a sign of things to come, he showcased his offensive and defensive skills with equal efficiency last weekend.
Shimizu, who's averaging 11.0 points per game, is the Circle K Sunkus Player of the Week, the bj-league announced on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old All-Star scored 24 points, matching a season-best total in points, including 7-for-11 from the free-throw line in an 84-75 win over the Takamatsu Five Arrows on Saturday, setting season highs in both makes and attempts at the foul line. He added a season-high five steals, three assists, three rebounds and one blocked shot.
In Sunday's game, a two-point loss for the host Broncos, Shimizu had a 22-point performance to go along with four assists, three rebounds and two blocks.