Aoki leaves lasting legacy on Japan hoops
Whenever he stepped on the court during 11 distinguished seasons as a special ambassador for Japan pro basketball, Cohey Aoki increased the visibility of the sport. Fans loved watching him play, and rightfully so. He displayed a pure joy for the game, but exhibited a ...
'Helicopter' Humphrey joins new ABA squad RDC Vulcans as head coach
John "Helicopter" Humphrey, one of the now-dissolved bj-league's original stars, has been hired to coach the American Basketball Association's RDC Vulcans, an expansion squad. The Vulcans made the announcement on Thursday. According to published reports, two other expansion teams are also set to join the ABA: ...
Bryant still hoping Fukuoka can make playoffs
The Rizing Fukuoka face an uphill climb in their quest to make the playoffs. But that won't stop bench boss Joe "Jellybean" Bryant from preaching fundamentals and pushing his players to keep improving. Though the Rizing are 11-31 and tied with Takamatsu for the worst record ...
Hot 3-point shooting carries Shiga past Fukuoka
Led by a trio of 3-point shooting specialists, the visiting Shiga Lakestars halted the Rizing Fukuoka's three-game winning streak on Thursday night, winning the bj-league series opener 95-93. Shiga's Ray Nixon, a University of Wisconsin product, buried 8 of 13 long-range shots en route to ...
'Helicopter' flies in for reunion with Bryant in Fukuoka
Veteran scoring standout John "Helicopter" Humphrey arrived in Fukuoka on Monday to join the bj-league's Rizing Fukuoka, a league source told The Japan Times. The four-time bj-league season scoring champion (2005-06, 2006-07, 2012-13 and 2013-14) will reunite with Fukuoka coach Joe Bryant, his former Tokyo ...
Ex-Apache coach Bryant hired to lead struggling Fukuoka
Joe Bryant, the now-defunct Tokyo Apache's original head coach, will take over as the Rizing Fukuoka's next bench boss, the bj-league club announced on Monday evening. Bryant is scheduled to return to the sideline for the Western Conference club's next home series, Jan. 17-18, against ...
Turkish Airlines becomes top sponsor
In a move that could have a profound impact on the professional basketball landscape in Japan, Turkish Airlines has agreed to become the title sponsor for the bj-league. The league, entering its 10th season, announced the blockbuster agreement, a contract for two seasons, on Thursday ...
Ex-Gator Moss powers Nara past Saitama
Big man Adrian Moss delivered a gutsy 20-point, 21-rebound performance to lead the Bambitious Nara to a 70-60 series-opening victory over the Saitama Broncos on Wednesday night. The 204-cm Moss, who starred on the 2006 NCAA Division I champion University of Florida Gators, led all ...
Tokyo overwhelms Saitama in fourth quarter, completes series sweep
Despite John "Helicopter" Humphrey's 45-point outburst, the Saitama Broncos couldn't quell the Tokyo Cinq Reves' momentum and spirited comeback on Wednesday night at Musashino General Gymnasium. The result? An 82-76 Tokyo triumph. The Broncos (2-10) suffered their seventh straight defeat in the bj-league, failing to score ...
Tokyo outplays Saitama in series opener
The Tokyo Cinq Reves emerged victorious on Tuesday night by overcoming a five-point halftime deficit and seizing control of the game after the break. Tokyo defeated the visiting Saitama Broncos 78-66 at Musashino General Gymnasium, outscoring them 31-14 in the pivotal third quarter. Saitama (2-9 overall, ...
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 ...
'Helicopter' Humphrey flying high again after injury
The Saitama Broncos find themselves in a familiar place as the season heads into its stretch run — near the bottom of the pack. And they will miss the playoffs for an eighth consecutive season. But since All-Star John "Helicopter" Humphrey's return after missing 11 ...
