Teiko Nishi (born January 24, 1967)[1] is an American former women's basketball player. She played for the UCLA Bruins each year from 1985 until 1988.[2] In 1987, Nishi, from North Torrance, California, was the only Asian American woman playing Division I basketball in southern California.[3]
Nishi was heavily active in the Japanese American basketball leagues in Southern California throughout her childhood, and became a starter at North Torrance High School.[4] While at North High, Nishi led her squad to CIF playoffs in her senior year, losing to Cheryl Miller's Riverside Poly in the playoffs.[4]
While playing AAU basketball during the off-season, Nishi was heavily recruited by major universities nationwide, finally choosing UCLA over USC. In her career at UCLA, Nishi played with Jackie Joyner-Kersee, defeating the Cheryl Miller-led USC dynasty twice in their 1984-85 season.[5]
After graduating from UCLA Nishi coached girls' basketball in South Torrance, California.[6]
Nishi is currently coaching girls' basketball in Yorba Linda, CA.[7]
Nishi is the older sister of Kikuo KeyKool Nishi of the rap group The Visionaries.
References edit
- ^ "Teiko Nishi was born on January 24, 1967 in Los Angeles County, California". californiabirthindex.org. California Birth Index. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
- ^ "UCLA Women's Basketball All-Time Letterwinner List". UCLA Bruins. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
- ^ Garcia, Irene (31 December 1987). "Only 5'8", but Bruin cager a real standout. Southland's only oriental in Division I is no gunner but she makes it happen". Los Angeles Times (South Bay ed.). Sports, p.3. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
- ^ a b Garcia, Irene (4 February 1988). "Not Tall, No Top Gun, but Bruin Is in a League By Herself". Los Angeles Times. p. 15. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
- ^ "Clash of the Titans". UCLA Bruins. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
- ^ Fernas, Rob (17 March 1994). All-Star Action. Los Angeles Times. Sports, page 18.
- ^ "Husband of Yorba Linda girls basketball coach Teiko Ikemoto remembered after dying from coronavirus". 10 April 2020.