NBL Canada’s Halifax Rainmen sign Seiya Ando, the league's first Japanese player

As it enters its fourth season, the National Basketball League of Canada is becoming a viable destination for young players coming from countries where the sport is just taking off. This offseason a little history was made when the Halifax Rainmen signed Seiya Ando, who will become the first Japanese player to play in the league when the Rainmen open the regular season November 7 on the road against the Moncton Miracles.

"I'm excited [to play in Canada]," said Ando, who stood out playing in Japan averaging 21.2 points, 6.1 assists, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game at Meiji University and has been the top player for the national team's under-18 and under-22 teams. After graduating, the 22-year-old guard left his home country and set out to accomplish his dream of continuing his basketball career overseas. He made his way to Los Angeles to suit up in the Drew League, one of the best summer leagues in North America, where he caught the eye of Rainmen owner Andre Levingston.

"I was in L.A. this summer recruiting players and a good friend of mine, who's an agent from Japan, was coaching in the Drew League," said Levingston. "I had an opportunity to watch Seiya play in the summer and I thought he was really good. We watched him again in New York City and my coach from Barcelona flew in for our mini-camp and he had an opportunity to evaluate Seiya for a few days and he thought Seiya would fit perfectly in his system. He's really talented."

Ando, a six-foot-one point guard who thrives as a three-point shooter in a pick-and-roll offence and takes immense pride in his defence, is loving every minute he gets a chance to play competitive basketball in North America. A highlight from his time in Los Angeles was a scrimmage against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson where Ando played on the same team as former NBA guard Jordan Crawford.

"The Drew League was a good experience," said Ando.

Basketball remains behind soccer and baseball in terms of popularity in Japan but the gap is closing quickly. Ando remembers watching Michael Jordan for the first time as a six-year-old. He fell in love with the game because of its torrid pace and high-energy nature.

"For many people, basketball is No. 1," confirmed Ando and he's looking forward to showing people just how much basketball has grown in his country by proving himself in Halifax. The signing of Ando, who has been practising with the team and is expected to be the backup point guard at the start of the season, is truly a significant breakthrough for the league.

"I'm excited for my team but I'm excited for the league as well. We're starting to attract international players, which is fantastic," said Levingston. "To bring over a young man like Seiya who is extremely talented is going to pay dividends for our entire league. I think he'll be the one really responsible opening the floodgates for international players coming to our league."