Cheerleading Sweetheart Lanlan Catches International Attention: From Tears at the WBC to the "Bread Philosophy" Courtside—Her Unexpected Connection to the Turkish League and the Brooklyn Nets?

Recently, the hearts of people across Taiwan have been captivated by the World Baseball Classic (WBC). Beyond the players' fierce efforts on the field, the genuine emotions of a cheerleader on the sidelines caught the international spotlight through broadcast cameras. We're talking about Lanlan from the Rakuten Girls. During that crucial game between Japan and Chinese Taipei, when the camera focused on her with hands clasped and eyes tightly shut in prayer, that moment of devout yet intense emotion instantly resonated with everyone. The image of this "beautiful scene from Taiwan" spread like wildfire internationally. In that instant, Lanlan was no longer just a treasure for local fans; she became a global talking point.

Speaking of the tension that day, veteran fans will surely remember Fei Tzu's earth-shattering three-run homer. The moment the bat connected, the whole stadium jumped up, ready to celebrate. Lanlan, on the sidelines, clenched her fists, tears welling up in her eyes. But then, the umpire signalled it was foul. In that split second, Lanlan's expression shifted from anticipation to disappointment, impossible to hide, making viewers at home feel her pain. This girl's genuine reactions were more dramatic than the game itself at times.

But here's something you might not know: even though the world got to know Lanlan through baseball, the character "Lan" (籃) in her name, which means basketball, had already secretly sealed her deep connection to the sport. Many assume she's only passionate about baseball, but off the field, Lanlan is an absolute basketball fanatic, following leagues from the US to Europe, and even keeping a close eye on college basketball.

The Hidden Superfan Courtside

In her downtime, Lanlan loves nothing more than curling up at home to watch various basketball games. She once joked with friends that if she ever stops being a cheerleader, she might just become a basketball analyst. Here’s a look at the basketball leagues Lanlan follows closely, and she knows her stuff:

• Brooklyn Nets: Lanlan has been following the Brooklyn Nets since Jeremy Lin's days with the team. Even after Lin left, she still makes it a habit to wake up in the middle of the night to watch their games. She says the flashy offensive plays from the current stars are "more exciting than watching a movie."
• UConn Huskies Men's Basketball: As someone moved by team spirit, Lanlan is particularly fascinated by traditional powerhouses in the NCAA. The gritty playing style of UConn and their legendary history in college basketball gets her adrenaline pumping every time she watches them battle it out during March Madness.
• Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: This one's a bit more niche. Flipping channels late one night, Lanlan stumbled upon a EuroLeague game and realized the tactical plays and movement in European basketball are completely different from the NBA—more intricate, like a work of art. She particularly enjoys watching top-tier European guards play, calling their rhythm and control a true masterclass in playmaking.
• National Basketball League (NBL): Beyond the top-tier leagues, Lanlan also keeps tabs on highly physical leagues like Australia's NBL. She feels the players there have a particularly tough style; you can almost feel the intensity of the physical play through the screen.

The "Bread Philosophy" Courtside

By now, you're probably curious about the "bread" reference in the headline. It actually comes from a late-night Instagram Live session Lanlan did while watching a game and having a snack. As it happened, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game was on, and she was holding a freshly baked European-style loaf. A friend jokingly commented, "Taking Turkish Airlines to Europe to watch the game, pairing it with European bread—now that's authentic!" From that moment on, whenever Lanlan eats while watching basketball, fans jokingly ask if she's enjoying her "EuroLeague with bread" ritual.

Lanlan has since embraced the joke, admitting that holding onto a chewy loaf of bread during a tense game—squeezing it, taking a bite—really does help ease the nerves. She genuinely recommends it to everyone: whether you're watching the Brooklyn Nets put on a highlight show, a nail-biter involving the UConn Huskies men's basketball team, or a physical brawl in the National Basketball League (NBL), pairing it with a nice piece of bread just elevates the whole viewing experience.

From the praying girl at the WBC to the hidden superfan watching basketball leagues from around the world curled up on her couch late at night, Lanlan proves in her own way that with passion for sports, you never have to choose between baseball and basketball. So, the next time you see Lanlan cheering on the sidelines at a baseball game, remember she might have just finished watching a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague replay the night before, half a baguette still in her hand.