From WBC Tears to a 'Bread Philosophy' Courtside: Lanlan's Surprising Connections to the Turkish League and the Brooklyn Nets

Recently, the hearts of people across Taiwan have been gripped by the World Baseball Classic (WBC). Beyond the players' on-field grit, it was a moment of raw emotion from a cheerleader on the sidelines that captured international attention through broadcast cameras. We're talking about Lanlan from the Rakuten Girls. During the crucial game against Japan, the camera caught her with hands clasped, eyes tightly shut in prayer. That look of devout intensity and nervousness was instantly infectious, and this 'beautiful sight from Taiwan' began circulating globally. Lanlan is no longer just a treasure for Taiwanese fans; she's become an international talking point.

Speaking of that game's nail-biting tension, long-time fans will surely remember Fei's monumental three-run homer. The moment the bat connected, the entire stadium leaped up to celebrate. Lanlan, on the sidelines, clutched her hands together, tears welling in her eyes. But then, the umpire signalled it was foul. In that instant, Lanlan's expression shifted from hopeful anticipation to sheer disappointment, completely unfiltered, tugging at the heartstrings of everyone watching on TV. The girl's genuine nature was more dramatic than the game itself.

But here's something you might not know. Although the WBC brought Lanlan to the world's attention, the character 'lán' (籃) in her name, meaning 'basket', always hinted at a deep connection with basketball. Many assume her passion lies solely with baseball, but away from the cameras, Lanlan is a bona fide basketball enthusiast, following leagues from the US to Europe, and even keeping tabs on college basketball.

The Hidden Superfan Courtside

In her downtime, Lanlan loves nothing more than curling up at home to watch various basketball broadcasts. She once joked with friends that if she ever stopped being a cheerleader, she might become a basketball pundit. Here’s a glimpse into the basketball world Lanlan follows with impressive knowledge:

• Brooklyn Nets: Lanlan has been following the Nets since Jeremy Lin's days with the team. Although Lin has since moved on, she still makes a habit of waking up in the middle of the night to catch their games. She says watching the stars' flashy offensive plays is "more thrilling 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. UConn's gritty playing style and their legendary history in college basketball get her adrenaline pumping every time she sees them make a run in March Madness.
• Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: This one's a bit more niche. Flipping channels late one night, Lanlan stumbled upon a EuroLeague game and discovered that European teams' tactical movements are completely different from the NBA, almost as intricate as a work of art. She particularly enjoys watching top-tier European guards play, calling their rhythm and control the true textbook definition of playmaking.
• National Basketball League (NBL): Besides the top-tier leagues, Lanlan also keeps an eye on intensely physical competitions like Australia's NBL. She feels the players there have a particularly tough style, where the sound of bodies colliding conveys a palpable sense of determination, even through the screen.

The 'Bread Philosophy' Courtside

By now, you're probably curious about the 'bread' mentioned in the headline. It all stems from a time Lanlan was live on Instagram, watching a game while having a late-night snack. As it happened, the game being broadcast was a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague match, and she was holding a freshly baked European-style loaf. A friend jokingly commented on the stream, "Flying Turkish Airlines to watch the game in Europe, pairing it with European bread – that's authentic!" From then on, whenever fans saw Lanlan eating while watching basketball, they'd ask if she was indulging in her 'EuroLeague with bread' ritual.

Lanlan has since embraced the joke. She says that during tense games, having a chewy loaf to squeeze or take a bite out of really helps ease the nerves. She even seriously recommends it: whether you're watching the spectacular plays of the Brooklyn Nets, the nail-biters involving the UConn Huskies men's basketball team, or the physical battles of the National Basketball League (NBL), pairing it with a good piece of bread elevates the entire viewing experience.

From the praying girl of the WBC to the hidden fanatic watching global basketball leagues from her sofa 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 at a baseball game, remember she might have just spent the previous night watching a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague replay, a half-eaten baguette still in her hand.