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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Robinson Fan Left Japan To Follow The Spurs

San Antonio Express-News

The ultimate San Antonio Spurs supporter, Noa Nakamura, has logged nearly 40,000 miles by land and air, hip-hopped the continent and shot his life savings to satisfy his basketball bug.

“He goes beyond being the ultimate fan,” Spurs spokesman Tom James said of the Fan from Japan. “It’s more like an obsession.”

Enthusiastically cheering the Spurs on to a heart-stopping 112-111 win Friday night at the Alamodome, Nakamura said, “I’m having the best time of my life!”

His love of basketball began three years ago when he saw the 1992 Olympic Dream team on TV.

Despite the nearly 6,700 miles that separated them, Nakamura said he felt an immediate bond with Spurs center David Robinson.

A year later, the 22-year-old Nakamura cashed in his $13,000 bankroll, quit his job as a security guard, and instead of spending the money on a car, as he had planned, Nakamura decided to follow his dream halfway around the world.

In January 1993, Nakamura left his home in Tokorozawa, just outside of Tokyo, bound for Canada.

Working as a sushi chef in Vancouver, British Columbia, Nakamura earned enough to buy a white 1981 Oldsmobile Omega with 22,000 miles, which he promptly named his “Spursmobile.”

Forty-one states and 35,000 miles later, Nakamura had a collection of ticket stubs from Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis and Houston.

Since coming here two weeks ago during the Spurs’ home stretch, he’s added stubs for Phoenix, Golden State, Detroit and Cleveland.

“I want to make the best of it, so I see the Spurs every chance I get,” Nakamura said. “Once I go back to Japan, I may never get another chance to see them again.”

That time is near. Next week, he packs his mementos and memories, checks out of his $13.75-a-day bed-and-breakfast and heads home.