Japan's shortcomings laid bare at FIBA World Cup
High hopes turned into devastation — and misery. With an 80-65 loss to Montenegro on Monday, the Japan men's basketball team concluded its campaign at the 2019 FIBA World Cup with a disastrous 0-5 record, the worst-ever outcome for the team in the sport's extravaganza. Considering ...
Japan ends World Cup journey with disappointing loss to Montenegro
The squad dubbed the best-ever in its history will exit China with nothing to celebrate. Japan's men's basketball team fell 80-65 to Montenegro in its final game at the 2019 FIBA World Cup on Monday, failing to post a single victory in five games at ...
Japan looking to end FIBA World Cup on high note
The Japan men's national team is wounded both physically and mentally. Which makes posting its first win at the FIBA World Cup appear to be a daunting task, especially considering the absence of star player Rui Hachimura. Japan will face Montenegro in its final World ...
New Zealand cruises past winless Japan
Despite playing without two key members, the Japan men's national squad expected to have a tough contest against another competitive team. But probably not this tough. The team remains winless at the FIBA World Cup after a crushing 111-81 defeat to New Zealand in a ...
Rui Hachimura to sit out remainder of FIBA World Cup
Star forward Rui Hachimura will not play in Japan's consolation games against New Zealand and Montenegro in order to rest his weary body, the Japan Basketball Association announced on Friday. A decision was made regarding Hachimura after discussions between the JBA and the Washington Wizards, ...
U.S. crushes Japan in World Cup group game
The result was anticipated. Nevertheless, the game left the Akatsuki Five with grief and a sigh. The Japan men’s national team posted a third straight loss in the first round of the FIBA World Cup with a 98-45 pounding to reigning tournament and Olympic champion ...
Naturalized Japan big man Nick Fazekas looking forward to playing against U.S.
As a naturalized Japanese citizen, Nick Fazekas described it "a crazy ride" to be facing his native country on the sport's premier stage. That's what will happen on Thursday night, when Japan meets the United States in a Group E match at the FIBA World ...
Japan eager to show improvement on hardwood
Most of the players on Japan's roster for the current FIBA World Cup didn't make the trip to Belgrade three years ago for the Olympic Qualification Tournament ahead of the 2016 Rio Games. Despite not being part of that team, which looked helpless in an ...
Japan eliminated from World Cup contention after loss to Czech Republic
The Japan men’s national team played a lot better than on Sunday, but it wasn’t good enough to post its first victory at the FIBA World Cup on Tuesday. The Czech Republic defeated Japan 89-76 at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. The Asian squad (0-2) is now ...
Akatsuki Five look for answers after opening defeat at World Cup
One day after a devastating loss in its opening game, the Japan men’s basketball team resumed its training, trying to hold its head high up ahead for the remainder of its pool games at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. The Akatsuki Five, who fell to ...
Turkish media speak of country's sporting affection for Japan
Japan's men's basketball team was completely tamed by Turkey in Sunday's FIBA World Cup contest. The Europeans bewildered the Akatsuki Five on both ends of the court and wound up earning the important "W" with a 86-67 score at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. But ahead ...
Akatsuki Five shell-shocked in Shanghai as Turkey claims Group E opener
Japan's players seemed shell-shocked early on and it wound up costing them significantly in their first game at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Japan was unable to compete at its own rhythm on offense or defense and fell 86-67 against Turkey in Group E action ...
