Ryan Rossiter, Kosuke Kanamaru provide big boost in Japan's rout of Taiwan
National team debutant Ryan Rossiter and sharpshooter Kosuke Kanamaru provided stellar performances in Monday’s 96-57 win over Taiwan, and perhaps showcased new dimensions for the Akatsuki Five during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifier. Rossiter, who become a naturalized citizen in December, racked up 17 ...
Ryan Rossiter making case for spot on Japan squad
In preparation for its first game in 2020, the provisional Japan men's national team has been practicing in a series of training camps at Tokyo's National Training Center since the beginning of the month. Japan will face Taiwan in a qualifier for next year's Asia ...
B-Corsairs rookie Raita Akaho follows in family's footsteps on basketball court
With a somewhat unusual last name, it's perhaps a little difficult for Raita Akaho to not be noticed that he's from a distinguished basketball family. Naturally, he carries high expectations and pressure on his shoulders. But Akaho insists he is who he is, considering himself just ...
Japan coach Julio Lamas outlines goals for team before upcoming Asia Cup qualifiers
Japan men's national team head coach Julio Lamas said that it wasn't a surprise that his team didn't play as well as it had hoped to at last year's FIBA World Cup. Instead, he insisted that development takes place on a day-by-day pace. That said, the ...
Yuka Osaki hopes to secure a spot on Japan national team after becoming a mother
Just over a year after giving birth to her first child, Yuka Osaki decided to return to the court with the goal of representing her home country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The provisional Japan women's national team is currently holding a training camp at ...
Shibuya captain Leo Vendrame hopes Emperor's Cup can lead to team's first-ever B. League crown
After achieving one of their goals for this season, the Sunrockers Shibuya are now moving on to shoot for the second: the B. League championship. After capturing the team's second All-Japan Championship title with a 78-73 win over the Kawasaki Brave Thunders at Saitama Super ...
Forecasting Japan's top medal hopefuls for 2020 Games
Japan's Olympians intend to take the nation by storm with their best-ever results at the 2020 Tokyo Games this summer. The Japanese Olympic Committee has hammered out a goal of 30 gold medals, nearly doubling its previous record, at the world's biggest sporting extravaganza. The ...
Nick Fazekas not ready to cede national team spot to naturalized Brex star Ryan Rossiter
A year ago, Japanese fans called Nick Fazekas a "savior" for completely changing the fortunes of Japan's men's basketball team during Asian qualifying for the FIBA World Cup. That success was something he took pride in being a big part of. But now, some have ...
Japan looks ahead after capturing fourth straight FIBA Women's Asia Cup title
Chasing its lofty goal of capturing a gold medal at next year's Tokyo Olympics, the Japan women's national team gained momentum by winning its fourth straight FIBA Women's Asia Cup title in Bangalore, India, on Sunday. Two days after accomplishing the feat by edging China ...
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 ...
