Taku Itou

Itou is disciplined and understated. He accepts the unusual responsibility of starting at point guard while knowing that Shoyo's best player occupies the same position and can replace him whenever the game demands it.

He does not display resentment toward Fujima or attempt to exceed his assigned role. His contribution is based on executing Shoyo's structure until the captain decides to enter.

Itou is a competent passer and ball handler who organizes Shoyo's offense during Fujima's absence. At 180 cm, he is the shortest member of Shoyo's starting five but remains tall for a high-school point guard.

That size contributes to Shoyo's defensive strategy against Shohoku. Even Miyagi, whose speed is difficult for most guards to contain, must deal with a defender who can obstruct passing angles through superior height.

Itou can also contribute as a shooter from middle and longer ranges, although Shoyo's principal scoring responsibilities fall to Toru Hanagata and Fujima.

Itou starts Shoyo's elimination game against Shohoku because Fujima intends to remain on the bench unless his presence becomes necessary. This allows Fujima to observe the game while Itou handles ordinary point-guard duties.

Shoyo initially uses its enormous height to frustrate Shohoku's passing and offense. As the game becomes increasingly competitive, however, Fujima can no longer remain a spectator.

Fujima enters and Itou leaves the primary point-guard role as Shoyo commits its strongest lineup to defeating Shohoku. Shohoku ultimately wins the close game and eliminates Shoyo.

Kenji Fujima is Itou's captain, coach and superior point guard. Itou starts while Fujima directs Shoyo from the bench.

Ryota Miyagi is Itou's principal positional opponent during the Shohoku game.

Toru Hanagata, Kazushi Hasegawa, Mitsuru Nagano and Shouichi Takano form Shoyo's tall senior core around Itou.