As its fan base continues to grow over the next several seasons, Niigata Albirex BB standouts Akitomo Takeno and Yuichi Ikeda will emerge as household names for the bj-league. In fact, they've already shown flashes of greatness.
Just 23, All-Star Takeno has established himself as one of league's elite shooters. Averaging 13.2 points per game, the point guard with a smooth-shooting stroke is a 41.1 percent shooter from 3-point range and 90.3 percent from the free-throw line. He is No. 2 in the league in 3-point shooting percentage and free-throw shooting.
Tokyo Apache fans will also recall that Takeno didn't miss a shot in the series opener at Yoyogi National Gymnasium Annex on Feb. 4, going 8-for-8 from the field (5-for-5 on 3-pointers) and 5-for-5 at the line in an electrifying 26-point, 19-minute performance off the bench as the Albirex beat Tokyo 86-68.