Koharu Tanaka Koharu Tanaka 5'6" | CG The Rivers School | 2028 State New E (2028) | CG |

The long-range shot-making, vision and ability to read the defense all look refined from Tanaka in her latest matchups. Her feel for the game must be accounted for too. It doesn’t matter who’s in front of her either, Tanaka is going to put forth a full effort and find a way to make it work. These qualities are what’s helping propel her right now.

Koharu Tanaka Koharu Tanaka 5'6" | CG The Rivers School | 2028 State New E (2028) | CG |

Tanaka is back featured again for her impressive play at the Gym Rat Challenge. Her upbeat, speedy play was quite effective on both ends, but particularly on defense, is where she made her mark. Koharu identified where to apply pressure and was a legitimate difference maker doing so. Offensive players just weren’t able to get fully comfortable with her pestering efforts.

Koharu played well at the Gym Rat Challenge in Albany, helping her team go 2-1 on the weekend. Defensively, she pressures opposing guards as soon as they cross half court and uses her quick hands to force turnovers by poking the ball loose. She stays in front of ball handlers well and makes it difficult for opposing offenses to get comfortable. On offense, she consistently made smart passes that led to easy scoring opportunities for her teammates around the basket.

Koharu Tanaka Koharu Tanaka 5'6" | CG The Rivers School | 2028 State New E (2028) | CG |

Talk about pace; Koharu is looking mighty sharp with the ball in her hands as she displays full control of the tempo. Tanaka initiates the offense by forcing the defense to make critical decisions. However, by the time most are ready to settle on their choice, it’s too late. Her quickness constantly makes players uncomfortable. This agility comes through on the defensive end too. Tanaka ended up going 4-1 in Pheonix over the weekend and her upstanding play makes her worthy of mentioning.

Koharu made an impact in her first AAU tournament with the Mass Huskies, showcasing her court vision and ability to deliver sharp, on-time passes. She protects the ball well when attacking the rim and uses a tight handle to keep defenders off balance. She pushes the pace in transition for easy opportunities and applies strong ball pressure defensively, making it tough for opponents to get into their offense.

Koharu Tanaka Koharu Tanaka 5'6" | CG The Rivers School | 2028 State New E (2028) | CG | MH

Tanaka is up against some stiff competition in her first couple of games, but she’s well-equipped to hold her own in these battles. It’ll be intriguing to watch just how the speedster will use her upbeat playstyle to impact the game. Her 2-way activity and relentlessness can be absolutely infectious. Koharu will be one to watch this weekend.

Koharu Tanaka Koharu Tanaka 5'6" | CG The Rivers School | 2028 State New E (2028) | Guard | TRS

Tanaka is reclassing to ’28 and taking her spirited and speedy skillset to Rivers. Her connection to Coach Kenny Small will help lead to a seamless fit.

Koharu was a key contributor in helping Dana Hall close the regular season with important wins, bringing speed, composure, and toughness every time she stepped on the court. She excels at getting into the paint where her patience and footwork allow her to either create her own shot or make the smart kick-out pass when help defenders collapse. In transition, she is extremely fast and often beats opponents down the floor for easy scoring opportunities. From the perimeter, she has a quick release and confidently knocks down threes when given even a small window of space, while also impacting the game through high-effort plays like taking charges and diving for loose balls.

Koharu Tanaka Koharu Tanaka 5'6" | CG The Rivers School | 2028 State New E (2027) | CG | DH

Through the final stretch, Dana Hall’s lead guard has been on a roll. Tanaka has been an effective driver using her blistering speed to penetrate the lane or push the pace like no other. Her increasing aggressiveness makes her a fun watch.

Koharu is a true three-level scorer who can get to the basket and finish strong, pull up confidently in the midrange, or knock down shots from beyond the arc. When defenses collapse on her in the paint, she does a great job finding open teammates for easy looks. On the other end, she uses active hands and good footwork to generate steals and stay in front of her assignment.