NEWSWORTHY
Josh Peppers and Michael Parker reaping rewards after years of hard work in Japanese hoop scene
John Neumann gave the green light to bring American forwards Josh Peppers and Michael Parker to Japan. He had a good reason: He needed good players to make Rizing Fukuoka competitive during the expansion team's inaugural 2007-08 campaign in the bj-league. An astute talent evaluator, ...
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 ...
Documentary on former hoop star Neumann's life provides a cautionary tale
Hoop aficionados from Harlem to Hokkaido can appreciate the details of a good global basketball odyssey. Heck, any human with a pulse can. Well, folks, Johnny (John) Neumann's tale is unique, including many setbacks along the way. It's also inspiring (more on that later). A supremely gifted player, ...
Nonstop growth, inept management were constant problems throughout the bj-league's 11 seasons
Second in a two-part series Throughout its rocky 11-season history, mismanagement was often at the heart of the bj-league's biggest problems. The league grew so fast (from six to eight to 10 to 12 to 13 to . . . eventually 24 teams this past season ...
Well-traveled Cousin joins Brave Warriors
Well-traveled big man Marcus Cousin, who patrolled the middle for the Kyoto Hannaryz during the 2012-13 campaign, has finalized a deal to play for the Shinshu Brave Warriors this season, according to published reports on Wednesday. The 211-cm Cousin helped the Hannaryz reach the Final ...
