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 ...
Luka Pavicevic's system was key to Alvark Tokyo's title run
The Alvark Tokyo embodied a team-first attitude throughout their title-winning season. They kept things simple, demonstrating that well-executed fundamentals, not complicated tactics or endless mind games, are the recipe for success. They collected nine straight victories to cap their championship season, including an 85-60 victory ...
Alvark capture B. League title
Championships are won with well-orchestrated teamwork. The Alvark Tokyo did just that and played a polished, patient but aggressive game on Saturday. They showcased flashy plays but mostly stuck with their bread-and-butter offense, moving the ball and taking shots in players' comfort zones. Smart plan. Conversely, ...
League powers Jets, Alvark set for title tilt
With the biggest of stakes on the line, the Chiba Jets Funabashi and Alvark Tokyo renew their rivalry on Saturday afternoon. The site: Yokohama Arena. The occasion: the B. League Championship final. Tipoff is set for 2:05 p.m. as Jets bench boss Atsushi Ono and ...
Donte' Hill hoping to return Iwate to respectability in second half of season
In the rapidly changing Japan pro basketball landscape, the Iwate Big Bulls' run to the bj-league Final Four in 2015 is, well, ancient history. The team has experienced its share of ups and downs since then, when Dai Oketani completed his distinguished three-year run as ...
Rising star Daiki Tanaka inspires Alvark to win over Brex
Daiki Tanaka isn't a secret offensive weapon for the Alvark Tokyo. He is a potent force for his team at both ends of the floor, and one of the key reasons the Alvark are one of the top title contenders this season. The rising star's offensive ...
Alvark end SeaHorses' 16-game winning streak
The SeaHorses Mikawa's epic winning streak is over. In a battle of title contenders, the Alvark Tokyo came through with key plays in the closing seconds to pull off a 77-74 win over the SeaHorses on Saturday afternoon in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture. The SeaHorses (16-2) lost ...
Philippines holds off Japan in spirited FIBA World Cup qualifying opener
Japan delivered a gritty performance to bounce back from its early struggles, but wound up losing its opening 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier. Point guard Jayson William racked up 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists and former NBA big man Andray Blatche followed with ...
