Q+A: Hiroshi “Morris” Morioka

This article was published on SLAM Online on March 12, 2012.

by Ed Odeven / @ed_odeven

TOKYO — A dribbling basketball is, well, the heartbeat of the game. But by taking a solo journey from Tokyo to Sendai, Hiroshi “Morris” Morioka (@Morritter) demonstrated the heart of Japan pulsates from every individual, big or small.

Humble and caring, Morioka reminded people that everyone can make a difference to lift people’s spirits in the aftermath of the March 11, 2011, disasters.

With a basketball in his hands, the former Oklahoma City Thunder events and entertainment department employee for the 2010-11 season, embarked on a unique journey, a dribbling odyssey, a heart-warming project that reminded people about the joy of giving back to to others.

Before his 11-day January journey, Morioka was quoted as saying, “I’m dribbling 370 kilometers from Tokyo to Sendai as part of the charity project aiming to raise money to send 300 basketballs…