author

 
 
Ed Odeven
Ed Odeven covers primarily basketball for The Japan Times. He reported on a wide range of sports from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Summer Games for this newspaper. A native of the Bronx, N.Y., Odeven is a graduate of Arizona State University. He previously worked for the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff, Ariz., reporting on high school, collegiate, professional and Olympic sports (Flagstaff is a major international Olympic training site due to its high elevation) and writing a weekly column. His articles have appeared in Venezuela Online News, The Gleaner (Jamaica), the Monitor (Uganda), The Moscow Times, Swimming World Magazine and numerous other publications.
For Ed Odeven's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / HOOP SCOOP
Mar 31, 2020
Virus-shortened B. League season produced memorable performances
Despite last Friday's abrupt end to the B. League season, the campaign gave fans a number of memorable feats since its opening weekend last October.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Mar 26, 2020
B. League's coronavirus measures draw negative reactions from some players, observers
The second suspension of the B. League season last week — this time until at least April 1 — due to the COVID-19 pandemic has attracted plenty of attention around the world.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Mar 23, 2020
Rui Hachimura participates in video collaboration with WHO
Washington Wizards rookie Rui Hachimura is one of three NBA players who appear on a short video released on social media early Monday morning.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Mar 19, 2020
Sunrockers big man Sebastian Saiz's thoughts drift to Spain as pandemic intensifies
Playing the game he professes to love, Sebastian Saiz was back in familiar surroundings on Sunday afternoon.
Japan Times
Figure Skating
Mar 17, 2020
Retired ice dancer Chris Reed dies of heart attack at age 30
Former ice dancer Chris Reed, who represented Japan for more than a decade, died on Saturday of a heart attack in Detroit, according to a published report. He was 30.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Mar 15, 2020
Sunrockers split series with Northern Happinets; Jets-Brex canceled after game official has fever
The Sunrockers Shibuya pulled ahead late and finished strong in an 84-79 victory on Sunday over the Akita Northern Happinets in a game that was a near replica of the series opener.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Mar 14, 2020
Brex outplay Jets as B. League resumes season after long layoff; Kawasaki-Hokkaido game canceled
In a clash of title-chasing rivals, the Utsunomiya Brex outplayed the Chiba Jets on Saturday afternoon as the B. League held its first games since Feb. 17 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Mar 14, 2020
Texas Legends assistant coach Takuma Ito gaining valuable experience in G League
Texas Legends assistant coach Takuma Ito has grown more comfortable in his role as part of the team's supporting cast this season, his second with the NBA G League club.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Mar 12, 2020
Teams regroup after long layoff for season's stretch run
The revamped playoff format, which was revealed on Tuesday, created a different reality for teams in the hunt for the 2019-20 title: a smaller margin of error.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Mar 5, 2020
Wizards rookie Rui Hachimura making strides on defense
Rui Hachimura has demonstrated throughout his rookie season that he's a capable scorer, using his athleticism to get plenty of close-to-the-basket shots and perimeter scoring chances.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Feb 29, 2020
Legends' Yudai Baba makes solid contributions in victory over Skyforce
Texas Legends bench boss George Galanopoulos, in his first season at the helm, got the type of performance from his team on Friday night that any head coach would be happy with.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Feb 27, 2020
B. League coaches and players support decision to postpone games
A state of uncertainty is the current reality for sports leagues, athletes, coaches and organizers spanning the globe.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Feb 26, 2020
Rui Hachimura tops NBA jersey sales in Japan
Rui Hachimura's impact on Japanese basketball extends far beyond the court.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Feb 20, 2020
Henare's open-minded approach hitting target with B2's Five Arrows
After losing 41 of 60 games last season under former head coach Kohei Eto, the Kagawa Five Arrows have made positive strides this season under new leadership.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Feb 16, 2020
Jets cruise in dominant win over Evessa
The Chiba Jets controlled the second half on Sunday against the Osaka Evessa, dominating for long stretches and getting a big lift from Yuki Togashi and Koh Flippin in the third and fourth quarter, respectively.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Feb 16, 2020
Rui Hachimura, Yuta Watanabe and Yudai Baba reunite during All-Star Weekend
Washington Wizards rookie Rui Hachimura met up with basketball-playing compatriots Yuta Watanabe and Yudai Baba as part of NBA All-Star Weekend festivities on Friday in Chicago.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Feb 15, 2020
Ryukyu finds a way in narrow victory over Akita
The Ryukyu Golden Kings stepped to the free-throw line for 30 shots on Saturday night.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Feb 15, 2020
Netflix to air Naomi Osaka documentary series
Two-time Grand Slam singles winner Naomi Osaka will be featured in an upcoming documentary series to air on Netflix, and the project has the backing of one of global sports' most prominent individuals.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Feb 13, 2020
Veteran forward Jawad Williams, rookie point guard Kai Toews bolster Brex for season's stretch run
The Utsunomiya Brex, who are built to win now, upgraded their roster in recent weeks.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Feb 9, 2020
Much-improved Lakestars complete weekend sweep of NeoPhoenix
The Shiga Lakestars thoroughly dominated the second quarter on Sunday against the San-en NeoPhoenix, outscoring the visitors 21-7 in that 10-minute span.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world