NEWSWORTHY
Orimo continues to speak mind about Japan
Legendary star player Takehiko Orimo has always been brutally honest and outspoken about Japanese basketball, and his stance on the Akatsuki Five is no different. The Japanese men's national team will face Iran and Qatar on Thursday and Sunday, respectively, with a ticket to the ...
Japan prepares for crucial FIBA World Cup qualifiers at Iran, Qatar
With a significant pair of wins during the previous window of the Asian qualifiers in Toyama late last year, the Akatsuki Five got much closer to clinching a berth for this summer's FIBA World Cup finals in China. But Julio Lamas, the Japan men's national ...
FIBA task force positive on Tokyo 2020 berth for Japan
Japan's men's basketball team is on the right track to earn a spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, FIBA task force co-chairman Ingo Weiss told a news conference on Sunday. Weiss stressed that the Japan Basketball Association has fully lived up to the expectations of ...
Akatsuki Five extend winning streak to six after downing Kazakhstan
Nick Fazekas has said he would welcome one of his Japan teammates stepping into the limelight. But as usual, it was he who came through, becoming the biggest factor in the Akatsuki Five's latest victory. The naturalized Japanese center racked up 41 points and 15 rebounds ...
Akatsuki Five ready for key battle against Kazakhstan
The Akatsuki Five were once in a miserable situation, with their chances of earning a spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics seemingly fading away. Nine months later, Japan's men's team has put itself in a position to legitimately reach the FIBA World Cup finals, making ...
Yudai Baba aims for greatness under father's watch
Toyama City Gymnasium belonged to local star Yudai Baba on Friday night. But there was no bragging from either himself or his father, Toshiharu. Baba was one of the difference-makers on the floor in a jubilant 85-47 victory for Japan against Qatar in FIBA World Cup ...
Japan coach Julio Lamas says team won't take Kazakhstan lightly
One night after its crushing victory over Qatar in the second round of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, the Akatsuki Five have no intention of lowering their guard even for a bit. The Japan men's national team, which cruised past the Middle Eastern nation ...
Japan dominates second half in rout of Qatar
The Akatsuki Five received a tough challenge from Qatar early but wound up posting a 85-47 victory in a FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier at Toyama City Gymnasium on Friday night. The Japan men's national team (5-4) extended its winning streak in the preliminaries to ...
Japan faces pivotal contest against Qatar in FIBA World Cup qualifier
Looking for a fifth straight victory in its upcoming match against Qatar in the second round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, the Akatsuki Five will take the court with high morale. “I think that we are ready and feel like we want ...
Japan prepares for next round of FIBA World Cup qualifiers
No Rui Hachimura and no Yuta Watanabe? Japan can't exactly say "no problem." At this stage, the team doesn't want to take anything for granted. With the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers right around the corner, the preliminary Japanese men's national team ...
New passport, but same responsibilities for Brave Thunders star Nick Fazekas
Since his 2012 arrival in Japan, Nick Fazekas has been regarded as one of the very best to compete in Japan pro basketball. Now, he is one of the very best Japanese players. Late in April, the Kawasaki Brave Thunders made the stunning announcement that their ...
After scoring 18 points to help Japan beat Iran in a FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier at Ota City General Gymnasium on Monday, Yuta Watanabe's mind quickly turned to the United States where he will soon be fighting to make a name for himself ...
