Basketball / B. League Jul 13, 2020
B. League reveals opening matchup for 2020-21 season
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The two-time champion Alvark Tokyo and Kawasaki Brave Thunders will opening the B. League season on Oct. 2.
B. League Jul 10, 2020
Brave Thunders' plans for new arena undaunted by pandemic
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The Kawasaki Brave Thunders plan to build a new home arena capable of generating a more professional sports atmosphere. Despite the negative economic impact caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Brave Thunders president Nobuo Motozawa said on Wednesday that the club is sticking to its original ...
Basketball / B. League Jul 9, 2020
Kawasaki Brave Thunders big man Nick Fazekas has tested positive for COVID-19, the B. League club announced Wednesday. According to the team, Fazekas underwent a PCR test on Saturday, one day after he felt sick following a training session at an Arizona facility. He received ...
Basketball / B. League May 9, 2020
Takehiko Orimo honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Japanese basketball legend Takehiko Orimo of the Levanga Hokkaido was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award on Friday, headlining the first day of the 2019-20 B. League Award Show. For the past three years, the annual season-ending ceremony has been a lavish one-day event held ...
B. League Apr 1, 2020
Brave Thunders players regret early end to stellar season
by Kaz Nagatsuka
There was no one to blame, but it was certainly a disappointing way to end the season for the Kawasaki Brave Thunders. Last Friday, the B. League announced it would call off the remainder of the 2019 to 2020 campaign due to COVID-19, and would ...
Basketball / B. League Mar 28, 2020
Players react to cancellation of season's final weeks due to COVID-19 pandemic
by Kaz Nagatsuka
After the B. League announced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign due to the COVID-19 outbreak on Friday, some players shared their mixed emotions about this season, which ended abruptly. Shigehiro Taguchi, a Chiba Jets Funabashi shooting guard, exchanged his opinions, ...
Basketball / B. League Mar 27, 2020
B. League cancels remainder of season, playoffs
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the B. League ran out of all options but one: canceling the remainder of the 2019-20 season. The league announced on Friday that it will not play any of the games remaining on the schedule, including the postseason. The ...
Basketball / B. League Mar 16, 2020
Virus fears lead to chaotic weekend for B. League clubs
by Kaz Nagatsuka
There was confusion and mixed reactions from players and coaches over the weekend as the B. League resumed its season. There was also a lot of chaos. Japan's top men's professional hoops circuit returned to the court after a multiple-week hiatus amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The ...
Basketball / B. League Mar 14, 2020
Brex outplay Jets as B. League resumes season after long layoff; Kawasaki-Hokkaido game canceled
by Ed Odeven
In a clash of title-chasing rivals, the Utsunomiya Brex outplayed the Chiba Jets on Saturday afternoon as the B. League held its first games since Feb. 17 due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Brex's 88-80 triumph, which was played without spectators at Funabashi Arena, was ...
Basketball / B. League | B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Mar 12, 2020
Teams regroup after long layoff for season's stretch run
by Ed Odeven
The revamped playoff format, which was revealed on Tuesday, created a different reality for teams in the hunt for the 2019-20 title: a smaller margin of error. Every possession, every quarter, every half and every game will have a greater impact on the season's final ...
Basketball / B. League Feb 1, 2020
Alvark edge Brave Thunders, earn series split
by Ed Odeven
The visiting Alvark Tokyo avenged their Friday defeat by outplaying the Kawasaki Brave Thunders in Saturday's marquee rematch. In the two-time reigning champions' 72-68 victory, they were held to seven third-quarter points, but they got back on track in the final quarter to secure the ...
Basketball / B. League Jan 31, 2020
Jets forward Michael Parker ignites offense in victory over Susanoo Magic
by Ed Odeven
The Chiba Jets wrapped up a perfect January in league play by topping the Shimane Susanoo Magic on Friday night. The Jets' 90-79 victory, their ninth straight, included veteran forward Michael Parker's 27-point, 15-rebound, five-assist, two-steal, two-block performance in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Parker made 12 of ...