Last year, creator of the Slam Dunk, Takehiko Inoue organized a scholarship program. The winner will receive a one-year basketball and academic scholarship to study at South Kent School in Connecticut. Eighteen year old Okinawan Narito Namizato has been selected, however he still has to pass an application interview. If he passes the interview, he will study English while preparing for playing college basketball.

Takehiko Inoue said in an interview that he started the scholarship program because he wanted to promote the game of basketball in Japan. He believes there aren't as many professional basketball players in Japan as there should be.

Source: ANN | ComiPress