School: Touo Academy
Number: #9
Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 59 kg
Age: 16
Birthday: September 9
Talent: Quick Release Shot
Sakurai is Touo's first-year shooting guard and the team's "Pre-Emptive Strike Leader"—a title that basically sums up his whole thing. His real strength is that lightning-fast release on his jump shot. By the time defenders even process what's happening, the ball's already gone, making it nearly impossible to block him effectively. It's such a reliable weapon that Imayoshi basically built an entire game strategy around it: catch opponents off-guard right from the tip-off with an almost untouchable three-pointer.
What's kind of funny about Sakurai is how his personality is basically the opposite of a pre-emptive striker. He's genuinely soft-hearted and anxious—the type to apologize for things that aren't even his fault, usually way more than necessary. Fans often note the contrast between his clutch shooting and his overall lack of confidence, which makes him oddly endearing as a character.
Content compiled by AnimeList.moe from publicly available sources.
