Manato Fukuda
Manato Fukuda
Sport: basketball
There were myriad candidates to choose from this week, but the honor goes to a player who put his team over the top on BIIF championship week.
Without Fukuda, a student from Japan, St. Joseph wouldn’t be celebrating its first BIIF boys basketball title since 2010.
Fukuda’s team-high 13th and 14th points on Friday night in the BIIF Division II semifinals came on a layup at the buzzer, lifting St. Joseph to a 42-41 victory against Hawaii Preparatory.
On Saturday night back at Hilo Civic, St. Joseph needed every one of Fukuda’s 13 points to rally and beat Honokaa 51-50.
5 questions
Favorite song: “Big Rings,” by Drake.
What makes you happy: Playing basketball
Favorite cartoon character: Super Saiyan 4 from Dragon Ball GT
Favorite food: Taco rice
Favorite sports role model: Stephen Curry
To nominate an Athlete of the Week, email sports@hawaiitribune-herald.com