Kyoto Hannaryz point guard Naoto Takushi played a pivotal role in head coach David Benoit's recent ouster, bj-league sources told The Japan Times.
According to one source, Takushi, the team captain, held a meeting behind closed doors with team management and gave them an ultimatum: fire the coach or else.
Benoit was replaced by assistant coach Kazuto Aono last Friday. Kyoto entered the weekend with a 14-26 record and five straight losses. (Kyoto earned a series split against the Takamatsu Five Arrows last weekend.)