Retiring coach Richardson leaves lasting legacy on Golden Kings, Okinawa basketball
Successful organizations have people who inspire others and encourage them to build an environment where success is a top priority. Look around you, and you'll notice them. Exhibit A: Keith Richardson served a vital role for the Ryukyu Golden Kings for nine seasons. As an assistant ...
Memories all that remain of bj-league
First in a two-part series Six weeks after the bj-league's final game, it's now a good time to dust the cobwebs off the memory bank . . . Hoop Scoop chronicled the highlights and lowlights of the final 10 seasons of the bj-league's wild 11-year run, ...
Kyoto's Palmer brings end to long career in Japan
Kyoto Hannaryz forward David Palmer on Monday revealed that he's decided to retire — effective immediately. He said he made up his mind in early November, citing injuries and various physical ailments as factors that led to this decision. Palmer told The Japan Times in ...
Newton reflects on stellar Japan career
To define true greatness in pro sports, there's no greater measuring stick than championships. Which is why Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell remains the quintessential winner in North American pro sports. He starred on 11 NBA championship squads in 13 seasons. In the bj-league, Jeff Newton ...
Golden Kings to retire Newton's No. 50
The Ryukyu Golden Kings will honor league legend Jeff Newton during their Nov. 7-8 series against the Rizing Fukuoka at Okinawa City Gymnasium, retiring his No. 50 jersey. Newton, 34, will travel to Okinawa from his home in Atlanta for the festivities, the team announced ...
League legend Newton reveals he's decided to retire
Jeff Newton, the winningest player in league history, has quietly retired. He made the decision two months ago, without any fanfare. And so, it turns out that six-time title-winning big man Jeff Newton has played his final pro game. Fittingly, Newton will go out a winner, ...
Ryukyu Golden Kings won't re-sign league icon Newton
Big man Jeff Newton, who has played on a bj-league record six championship teams, will not be back with the Ryukyu Golden Kings for the 2014-15 season, his longtime agent Wallace Prather told The Japan Times on Friday. Newton spent the past six seasons in ...
Ryukyu not missing a beat with Okinawan Isa at helm
The Ryukyu Golden Kings' sustained excellence is the gift that keeps on giving for the team's rabid fans. A 12-game winning streak ended on Saturday — a two-point loss to the host Aomori Wat's — but the Kings returned to their winning ways a day ...
Long-term imports still rare in ever-changing league
With each passing season, perpetual change on team rosters means dozens of foreign players come and go. And it's become quite rare for foreign players to spend a large chunk of their careers in the bj-league. Sure, the league has expanded rapidly — from six ...
Newton's return sure to solidify Ryukyu's run at title
The reigning champion Ryukyu Golden Kings have been so good for so long that veteran forward/center Jeff Newton's recent monthlong absence due to a knee injury was far from a crisis. Newton missed eight games and underwent knee surgery to repair his left meniscus before ...
