The Oita HeatDevils were 7-1 to open the 2012-13 season before the team's financial crisis broke up the nucleus of the roster, sending Matt Lottich, Wendell White, Taj Finger, Cyrus Tate, Kazuya "J." Hatano and Naoto Takushi packing as massive cost-cutting measures took place and new players arrived.
The league office stepped in and a new team company was formed in the process, with Japanese players taking significant pay cuts to remain with the club.
The team took a nosedive, including a 123-50 loss to the Ryukyu Golden Kings in December, but recovered to finish 22-30. Then-newcomer Verdell Jones III, an Indiana University product, and Taishiro Shimizu formed a potent backcourt duo after the aforementioned players' departure.