Basketball Jun 29, 2020
Yuko Mitsuya elected to third term as Japan Basketball Association president
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Yuko Mitsuya's new term as the JBA president will run until September of 2021.
Basketball / B. League Nov 25, 2019
Japanese basketball generates record revenue as B. League's growth continues
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The growth of Japanese basketball does not appear to be in danger of slowing down any time soon, according to financial data released by the B. League on Monday. The league revealed that Japanese basketball generated ¥30.8 billion ($283 million) in revenue over the course ...
Basketball Nov 9, 2019
Japan women's 3x3 squad vows to earn Olympic berth
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Shocking news came out of the blue early last month when the Japan Basketball Association revealed that the wild-card spot for either its men's or women's national 3x3 teams would be negated by the International Olympic Committee. In late March, FIBA had granted automatic berths ...
Basketball Sep 6, 2019
Rui Hachimura to sit out remainder of FIBA World Cup
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Star forward Rui Hachimura will not play in Japan's consolation games against New Zealand and Montenegro in order to rest his weary body, the Japan Basketball Association announced on Friday. A decision was made regarding Hachimura after discussions between the JBA and the Washington Wizards, ...
Basketball Jul 24, 2019
Togashi's status for World Cup in doubt due to broken hand
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Just days after kicking off its preparation for the FIBA World Cup, the Japanese men's national team was jolted by some startlingly bad news out of the blue. Japan learned Tuesday that Yuki Togashi, the team's starting point guard, was diagnosed with a broken ...
Basketball Jun 25, 2019
JBA announces August exhibition schedule for national teams
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The Japan men's national team will tune up for the upcoming FIBA World Cup with international exhibitions against New Zealand, Argentina, Germany and Tunisia in August, the Japan Basketball Association announced in Tokyo on Tuesday. The sport's national governing body also revealed the women's national ...
Basketball Jun 15, 2019
Japan coaches thinking long term for young hoop prospects
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The next year and a half will arguably be the most important period in the history of Japanese basketball with the 2019 FIBA World Cup and 2020 Tokyo Olympics on the horizon. But this country is also looking beyond that, trying to develop up-and-coming stars ...
Basketball / B. League May 17, 2019
With its recent revamp, Japan's B. League could make the Reiwa Era its own
by Ed Odeven
After decades of stagnation and instability, Japan men's basketball is finally headed in the right direction. As the B. League marks the third anniversary since its founding, the nation's interest in one marquee game on May 11, the last day of its third season, highlighted ...
More Sports Apr 28, 2019
As Japan prepares to host the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, a number of the country's sports bodies are taking steps to prevent coaches from verbally and physically abusing athletes following a spate of high-profile cases. These measures include guidelines telling coaches to use ...
Basketball Apr 11, 2019
JBA lifts ban on four ex-national team players caught paying for sex
The Japan Basketball Association said Thursday it has lifted the suspension of four former national team players who were caught buying sex during last year's Asian Games in Indonesia. The B-League players — Yuya Nagayoshi (Kyoto Hannaryz), Takuya Hashimoto (Osaka Evessa), Takuma Sato (Shiga Lakestars) ...
Basketball Apr 2, 2019
Performance staff plays big role for Japan hoopsters
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Right after the final buzzer, the TV camera momentarily caught head coach Julio Lamas giving a strong hug to athletic trainer Takeo Ichiyanagi after they helped accomplish a big feat in the Middle East in late February. Koichi Sato, the sports performance director for the ...
Basketball Mar 21, 2019
JBA establishes committee to cope with verbal, physical abuse on teams throughout nation
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Oppressive actions such as corporal punishment and verbal abuse of athletes by coaches and those who have positions of authority have clearly been a major issue in Japanese sports in recent years. The Japan Basketball Association has recently formed an "integrity committee" to bring healthy ...