To-be Indiana Pacers signee Keisei Tominaga and Japan eliminated from Olympics in Group Play

Tominaga will be a rookie this season

Mar 21, 2024; Memphis, TN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Keisei Tominaga (30) shoots during practice for the NCAA Tournament First Round at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers agreed to sign Keisei Tominaga to an Exhibit 10 contract in the future, as reported in many places and confirmed by the University of Nebraska. The sweet-shooting guard is headed to the pros.

But the 23-year old couldn't join the Pacers for summer league play or be in their orbit earlier in the offseason. Instead, he had other obligations — he was named to Japan's Men's Basketball Team for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The Japanese squad was announced just under one month ago.

Tominaga suited up alongside NBA players Yuta Watanabe and Rui Hachimura for the event. It was the second-straight Olympics that featured Japan in Men's Basketball — they were the host nation for the 2021 Olympic games. Tominaga had previous experience in both the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup.

Japan played Germany, France, and Brazil during the Group Play round at the 2024 Olympics. Despite nearly taking down the hosts in France, Japan went 0-3 in the opening stage of the tournament. They have been eliminated regardless of what happens on Saturday in terms of results.

Germany and Brazil handled the Japanese side with ease, but Tominaga and company were mere seconds from a victory over the French side. A four-point play late in regulation changed everything and eliminated Japan's chance of reaching the quarter finals.

No. 85 Matthew Strazel hits a 3 for France, gets fouled and converts the four-point play to tie Japan at 84. pic.twitter.com/nFfnob6PQP

— jay dieffenbach (@therealjd2424) July 30, 2024

Tominaga played in all three games for Japan during the competition, but he was limited to just eight minutes in total. His total stat line from the three games was two points and one steal on 1/5 shooting.

The next stop for the former Nebraska Cornhusker is with the Pacers. Training camp is in just under two months, though his Exhibit 10 deal does not guarantee that he will actually participate in camp.

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