Cheerleading Star Lanlan Goes Global! From WBC Tears to a "Bread Philosophy" Courtside — Her Surprising 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) qualifiers. Beyond the players' grit on the field, a heartfelt moment from a cheerleading star on the sidelines has gone global through broadcast cameras. That star is Lanlan of the Rakuten Girls. During the crucial game against Japan, the camera caught her with hands clasped and eyes tightly shut in prayer. The raw mix of devotion and tension instantly resonated with everyone, and this "beautiful sight from Taiwan" started circulating internationally. Lanlan is no longer just a beloved figure for Taiwanese fans; she's become an international talking point.

Speaking of the tension that day, veteran fans will surely remember that monumental three-run homer that wasn't. The moment the bat connected, the whole stadium leaped up, ready to celebrate. Lanlan, on the sidelines, clutched her hands together, tears welling up in her eyes. But then, the umpire signaled it was foul. In that instant, Lanlan's expression shifted from hopeful anticipation to disappointment, completely unmasked, making viewers at home feel her heart sink right along with her. This girl's genuine emotions were more dramatic than the game itself.

But here's something you might not know: even though Lanlan is now known globally because of baseball, the character "籃" (lán) in her name, which means "basketball," secretly sealed her deep connection to the sport long ago. Many assume she's only passionate about baseball, but off the stage, Lanlan is a hardcore basketball fan, following leagues from the US to Europe, and even the college ranks.

The Secret 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 world Lanlan follows closely, and she can talk shop about all of it:

• Brooklyn Nets: Lanlan has been following the Nets since the Jeremy Lin days. Even after Lin left, she still makes a habit of waking up in the middle of the night to watch their games. She says watching the stars' flashy offensive plays now is "more thrilling than watching a movie."
• UConn Huskies Men's Basketball: As someone deeply moved by team spirit, Lanlan is especially fascinated by traditional powerhouses in the NCAA. The gritty, fundamental style of UConn and their legendary history in college hoops gets her adrenaline pumping every time she watches them make a March Madness run.
• Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: This one's a bit more niche. Flipping channels late one night, Lanlan stumbled upon a EuroLeague game and discovered that the tactical plays in European basketball are entirely 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 the real textbook definition of playmaking.
• NBL (National Basketball League): Beyond the top-tier leagues, Lanlan also keeps an eye on highly physical leagues like Australia's NBL. She feels the players there have a particularly tough, hard-nosed style, and you can almost feel the intensity through the screen with every collision.

The Courtside "Bread Philosophy"

By now, you're probably wondering about the "bread" mentioned in the title. Here's the story: once during an IG live stream, Lanlan was watching a game while having a late-night snack. As it happened, the game on screen was the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, and in her hand was a freshly baked artisan loaf. A friend jokingly commented on the stream, "Flying Turkish Airlines to Europe to watch the game, paired with European bread—so authentic!" From that moment on, whenever fans saw Lanlan eating while watching basketball, they'd ask if she was indulging in her "EuroLeague with bread" ritual.

Lanlan eventually embraced the joke, admitting that holding onto a chewy piece of bread during a tense game—squeezing it, taking a bite—really does help ease the nerves. She even seriously recommends the experience, saying that whether you're watching the Brooklyn Nets' highlight reels, a nail-biter featuring the UConn Huskies, or a physical showdown in the NBL, pairing it with a good piece of bread takes the whole viewing experience to the next level.

From the praying girl of the WBC qualifiers to the secret superfan curled up on her sofa watching international basketball leagues late into the night, Lanlan proves in her own way that with true passion for sports, you never have to choose between baseball and basketball. So, next time you see her cheering on the baseball diamond, just remember—she might have spent the previous night catching a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague replay, with half a baguette still in her hand.