Basketball / B. League Jul 13, 2020
B. League reveals opening matchup for 2020-21 season
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The two-time champion Alvark Tokyo and Kawasaki Brave Thunders will opening the B. League season on Oct. 2.
Basketball / B. League May 12, 2020
Daiki Tanaka named B. League MVP
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Daiki Tanaka was honored as the top player of the B. League season, which ended early due to the coronavirus.
Basketball / B. League | B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Nov 28, 2019
Toyama's Satoru Maeta making most of playing time in second season
by Ed Odeven
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 ...
Basketball / B. League Nov 24, 2019
Alvark's Alex Kirk makes huge defensive impact in series-opening win against Sunrockers
by Ed Odeven
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 ...
Basketball / B. League Nov 9, 2019
Alvark dominate early, hold off Golden Kings down the stretch
by Ed Odeven
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 ...
Basketball / B. League Nov 1, 2019
Alvark make key plays in final minute, beat rival Brex in series opener
by Ed Odeven
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 ...
Basketball Sep 11, 2019
Japan's shortcomings laid bare at FIBA World Cup
by Kaz Nagatsuka
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 ...
Basketball Sep 7, 2019
New Zealand cruises past winless Japan
by Kaz Nagatsuka
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 ...
Basketball Aug 30, 2019
In Shanghai, Japan begins final preparations for FIBA World Cup
by Kaz Nagatsuka
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 ...
Basketball / B. League Mar 6, 2019
Akatsuki Five players make quick return to club grind
by Kaz Nagatsuka
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 ...
Basketball Nov 30, 2018
Japan dominates second half in rout of Qatar
by Kaz Nagatsuka
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 ...
Basketball / B. League Oct 6, 2018
Alvark usher in new season with narrow victory over Sunrockers
by Ed Odeven
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 ...