Toyama's Satoru Maeta making most of playing time in second season
A few up-and-coming players' names appear on the list of top Japanese scorers this season. They join many established players in providing an offensive spark for their respective teams. Chiba Jets guard Yuki Togashi is setting the pace with 14.8 points per game, first among ...
Alvark's Alex Kirk makes huge defensive impact in series-opening win against Sunrockers
Alvark Tokyo center Alex Kirk was an active defensive presence on Sunday. The 211-cm University of New Mexico alum swatted two shots in the first quarter against the visiting Sunrockers Shibuya, and it was a sign of things to come. Kirk blocked another shot in the ...
Alvark dominate early, hold off Golden Kings down the stretch
The Alvark Tokyo built a 13-point cushion by halftime in Saturday's series opener against the visiting Ryukyu Golden Kings. Providing a boost from the get-go, star guard Daiki Tanaka scored nine of his 17 points in the opening quarter, and Tokyo triumphed 76-66 at Arena ...
Alvark make key plays in final minute, beat rival Brex in series opener
The Alvark Tokyo displayed patience and poise throughout Friday's series opener against the Utsunomiya Brex. The two-time defending champions came through in the clutch in the pivotal moments of the fourth quarter, winning 73-72 at Brex Arena. Tokyo center Alex Kirk nailed a go-ahead inside jumper ...
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 ...
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 ...
In Shanghai, Japan begins final preparations for FIBA World Cup
Two days before their first game at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Japan men's national team members still looked relaxed, but at the same time they were certainly aware that the clock is ticking. On Friday, the Akatsuki Five took the floor at Shanghai Oriental ...
Akatsuki Five players make quick return to club grind
Many Japanese basketball fans may have been nursing hangovers after Japan successfully qualified for the FIBA World Cup. But the players themselves haven't had much time to cherish their accomplishment. After a celebratory toast at Narita Airport following the Asian qualifiers, the member's of Japan's Akatsuki ...
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 ...
Alvark usher in new season with narrow victory over Sunrockers
The defending B. League champion Alvark Tokyo opened their new season with a down-to-the-wire victory over the Sunrockers Shibuya on Saturday afternoon in Tachikawa. Star center Alex Kirk led the way with 27 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, in Tokyo's 73-71 triumph. Alvark mainstay ...
Daiki Tanaka named FIBA Asia Champions Cup MVP
Alvark Tokyo guard Daiki Tanaka received FIBA Asia Champions Cup MVP honors on Tuesday after helping the defending B. League champions place runner-up at the prestigious eight-team tournament in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Iranian club Petrochimi defeated Tokyo 68-64 in the final, with Tanaka keeping the Alvark ...
SeaHorses star Makoto Hiejima named 2017-18 MVP at B. League Award Show
Makoto Hiejima is the face of the B. League's sophomore season. The SeaHorses Mikawa slashing shooting guard was selected as the league's Most Valuable Player for the 2017-18 season, it was announced at the B. League Award Show at Ebisu Garden Place on Tuesday. The 27-year-old ...
