The Japan Basketball Association announced the men's national team roster for the upcoming FIBA Asia Championship on Friday.
Star veteran point guard Yuta Tabuse, 34, of the Link Tochigi Brex, headlines the 12-man squad, which also features some versatile outside players, including teammates Kosuke Kanamaru and Makoto Hiejima of the reigning NBL champion Aisin SeaHorses and Toyota Alvark perimeter marksman Keijuro Matsui.
Aisin point guard Ryoma Hashimoto, who's known for his stingy defensive play, has made the top national team for the first time. For its inside game, head coach Kenji Hasegawa selected the Hitachi Sunrockers' Joji Takeuchi and the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix's Atsuya Ota, the only bj-league player on the team.