Toyama looks to improve defense
The Toyama Grouses, one of B. League's premier offensive clubs, present a formidable challenge for opposing defenses. They put points on the board in a hurry. The Grouses are No. 2 in the 18-team first division in scoring (84.3 points per game). They also have a ...
Alvark fire on all cylinders from start to finish in victory over Grouses
Perhaps the biggest compliment a team can receive after a game was uttered on Sunday afternoon. Toyama Grouses bench boss Don Beck called the Alvark Tokyo "the best-conditioned team" in the B. League. Those words were spoken after an impressive performance: The defending champion Alvark's tenacious ...
Patrick Baumann's profound impact on basketball will live on
Global basketball is a far-flung enterprise with 213 national federations and complexities that don't easily mesh into a single entity. Successful leaders, especially at the top, are vital to create meaningful bonds, improve governance and deal with problems. And some leaders are irreplaceable. That much ...
Revamped Levanga Hokkaido foundation includes key personnel from far-flung locales
As the B. League gains recognition on the global scale, the infusion of international players and coaches will continue to be vital. For instance, take a glance at the Levanga Hokkaido roster. Like their 17 top-division foes, the Levanga are looking to put a competitive team ...
Globetrotting Rick Rickert reaches end of the line after 15 seasons as pro player
After a decade and a half as a globetrotting pro basketball player, Rick Rickert has decided that it's time to begin the next phase of his life. The 35-year-old's retirement was made official last weekend. The Ibaraki Robots, for whom Rickert played the past two ...
And now it's down to four teams still chasing after the B. League Championship crown. This weekend, the East Division champion Chiba Jets Funabashi play host to the West champ Ryukyu Golden Kings and the Central champ SeaHorses Mikawa face the visiting Alvark Tokyo. Games ...
Chiba's Michael Parker hits milestone with 10,000th point
Michael Parker has quietly compiled impressive numbers throughout his pro basketball career in Japan. The veteran forward's success speaks for itself. He won four scoring titles in the bj-league, including a league-record 27.3 points per game in the 2010-11 season, establishing himself as a prolific point ...
WJBL's Antelopes focus on positive gains
In Japan's sports culture, you are supposed to be disappointed and mourn when you lose a game. That's, of course, a natural reaction for competitors. But you also need positive energy to channel that frustration into a vital force to move forward. This season, the Toyota ...
Antelopes' new approach revolutionizing women's hoops
Veteran bench boss Don Beck intends to play a transition game around solid defense for the Toyota Antelopes of the Women's Japan Basketball League in his first season in charge, like he did while coaching the Toyota Alvark men's team from 2010-15.
Beck, Oga looking to change women's basketball culture
First in a two-part series New bench boss Don Beck has set a noble goal for his Toyota Antelopes team in the Women's Japan Basketball League this season. That doesn't refer to just a championship. Beck intends to bring a positive culture into the team, in ...
Toyota edges Ryukyu in exhibition
The preseason began in earnest for the league's 10th season on Wednesday. But this time with a twist. The reigning champion Ryukyu Golden Kings played host to the NBL powerhouse Toyota Alvark in the first of two scheduled exhibition games in a three-day span in ...
