Cheerleading Queen Lanlan Goes Global: From Tears at the WBC to the 'Bread Philosophy' Courtside – Her Surprising Connection to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Brooklyn Nets

Recently, the hearts of people across Taiwan have been gripped by the World Baseball Classic (WBC). Beyond the players' fierce efforts on the field, a cheerleader's genuine emotions on the sidelines caught the international spotlight through broadcast cameras. We're talking about Rakuten Girls' Lanlan. During the crucial Taiwan-Japan game, when the camera captured her with hands clasped and eyes tightly shut in prayer, that moment of devout yet nervous tension instantly resonated with everyone. The image of this "beautiful scene from Taiwan" went viral globally. Lanlan is no longer just a favourite among local fans; she's become an international talking point.

Talking about the tension of that day, long-time fans will definitely remember that incredible three-pointer. The moment the ball was hit, the whole stadium jumped up in celebration. On the sidelines, Lanlan clenched her fists, tears welling up in her eyes. But then, the umpire signalled it was a foul ball. In that instant, Lanlan's expression shifted from anticipation to disappointment, completely unguarded, making viewers at home feel her anguish. This girl's raw and authentic personality had more dramatic tension than the game itself.

But here's something you might not know: even though Lanlan's global moment came through baseball, the character "Lan" (籃) in her name, meaning "basket", might have secretly destined her for a deep connection with basketball. Many assume she only loves baseball, but off the field, Lanlan is a genuine basketball enthusiast, following leagues from the US to Europe, and even 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 stops being a cheerleader, she might try becoming a basketball commentator. Here’s a look at the basketball scenes Lanlan follows closely, showing she really knows her stuff:

• Brooklyn Nets: Lanlan has been following the Nets since Jeremy Lin's days with the team. Even after Lin left, she still makes a habit of waking up in the middle of the night to watch their games. She says the flashy offensive plays from the current stars are "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. She admires UConn's gritty playing style and their legendary history in college basketball, and every time they make a March Madness run, she gets incredibly pumped up.
• Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: This one's a bit more niche. Lanlan once stumbled upon a EuroLeague game while channel-surfing late at night and discovered that European teams' tactical movements are completely different from the NBA – more refined, like an art form. She especially loves watching top-tier European guards play, calling their rhythm control a true masterclass in playmaking.
• National Basketball League (NBL): Beyond the top-tier leagues, Lanlan also follows highly physical leagues like Australia's NBL. She feels the players there have a particularly tough style; you can feel the intensity and physicality through the screen.

The 'Bread Philosophy' Courtside

By now, you're probably wondering about the 'bread' mentioned in the title. Here's the story: once during an Instagram live stream, Lanlan was watching a game while having a late-night snack. As it happened, the game showing was the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, and she was holding a freshly baked artisan-style bread roll. A friend jokingly commented: "Flying Turkish Airlines to watch European hoops, pairing it with European bread – that's the authentic experience!" From then on, whenever Lanlan eats while watching basketball, fans ask if she's enjoying her ritual of "EuroLeague with bread."

Lanlan eventually embraced the joke herself. She says that during a tense game, holding onto a chewy bread roll, squeezing it, and taking a bite definitely helps ease the nerves. She even seriously recommends that everyone, whether you're watching the Brooklyn Nets pull off spectacular plays, a nail-biter featuring the UConn Huskies men's basketball team, or a physical showdown in the National Basketball League (NBL), grab a nice piece of bread – it instantly elevates the whole viewing experience.

From the praying girl at the WBC to the hidden superfan curled up on the couch watching international basketball leagues late into the night, Lanlan proves that with a passion for sports, you don't have to choose between baseball and basketball. Next time you see Lanlan cheering on the baseball diamond, remember she might have just been up the night before watching a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague replay, with half a baguette still in her hand.