Takako Sato

Takako Sato
No. 25 – Prestige International Aranmare
PositionSmall forward
LeagueWomen's Japan Basketball League
Personal information
Born (2002-07-19) 19 July 2002 (age 24)
Sano, Tochigi, Japan
Listed height
176 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Career information
CollegeHakuoh University
Career history
2025–presentPrestige International Aranmare
Medals
Women's basketball
Representing  Japan
Asian Games
Silver medal – second place2026 Aichi–NagoyaTeam

Takako Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 多伽子, born 19 July 2002) is a Japanese professional basketball player who plays as a small forward for Prestige International Aranmare in the Women's Japan Basketball League. She has represented Japan in international competitions, including the FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup and the Summer World University Games. She was also a member of Japan's women's basketball team that won the silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games.

Early life and education

Sato was born on 19 July 2002 in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. She attended Ōka Gakuen High School before enrolling at Hakuoh University, where she played for the university's women's basketball team. During her university career, she helped Hakuoh compete in national collegiate competitions.

Career

Sato represented Japan at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup. She played seven games in the tournament, averaging 6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Japan finished ninth in the competition.

While attending Hakuoh University, Sato continued to develop as a forward and competed in Japanese collegiate basketball. In November 2024, the university announced that she would join Prestige International Aranmare through the Women's Japan Basketball League's early-entry system for the 2024–25 season. She subsequently became part of the professional club based in Akita Prefecture, wearing jersey number 25 and using the court name Lara.

In 2024, Sato was part of Hakuoh University's team that won the All-Japan Intercollegiate Basketball Championship. She was recognised as the tournament's most valuable player, according to the club's published team programme.

Sato represented Japan at the 2025 Summer World University Games in Germany. Japan finished fifth in the women's basketball competition. Her performances at the university and professional levels led to further involvement with the senior national-team programme.

In 2026, Sato was selected for Japan's senior women's national team and represented the country at the Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya. Japan reached the women's basketball final and won the silver medal. The Japanese Olympic Committee lists Sato among the members of the team that finished second in the competition.

References

  1. ↑ "Takako Sato". FIBA. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  2. 1 2 "佐藤 多伽子" [Takako Sato]. Japanese Olympic Committee. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  3. ↑ "TAKAKO SATO". Prestige International Aranmare. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  4. 1 2 "４選手がWリーグへ" [Four players move to the W League]. Hakuoh University. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  5. ↑ "Takako Sato – Japan – Player profile". FIBA. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  6. ↑ "2025年度 内定選手のお知らせ" [Announcement of players selected for the 2025 season]. Prestige International Aranmare. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  7. ↑ "アランマーレ秋田 バスケットボールチーム公式プログラム" [Aranmare Akita basketball team official programme] (PDF). Prestige International Aranmare. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  8. ↑ "佐藤 多伽子" [Takako Sato]. Women's Japan Basketball League. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  9. ↑ "佐藤 多伽子" [Takako Sato]. Basketball King. Retrieved 10 October 2026.
  10. ↑ "日本代表メンバーへ選出のお知らせ" [Announcement of selection for the Japan national team]. Prestige International Aranmare. 30 July 2026. Retrieved 10 October 2026.