What fuels point guard Akitomo Takeno's competitive fire?

While playing for the Rizing Fukuoka, he spelled it out clearly in a December 2011 interview with The Japan Times. "My focus is on getting a championship in the bj-league," he said. "I want to change my mentality, make improvements so I will play my best."

Takeno helped the Rizing earn a championship runnerup finish against the Yokohama B-Corsairs in May 2013. The franchise has gone through a number of personnel changes since then, and Takeno joined the Akita Northern Happinets in the offseason.