Basketball / B. League May 30, 2022
The title was the Brex's first since being crowned champions in the league's inaugural 2016-2017 season.
Basketball / B. League Dec 2, 2019
Fans select Takehiko Orimo for All-Star Game
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Stars from the Japan national team and domestic legend Takehiko Orimo will headline the roster for the upcoming B. League All-Star Game in Sapporo, organizers revealed on Monday. Each side consists of five starters chosen through fan voting and six others selected by the league. ...
Basketball / B. League Nov 17, 2019
Brex dominate Albirex early to win on the road
by Ed Odeven
The Utsunomiya Brex used a 21-0 run in the first quarter to seize control of their game against the Niigata Albirex BB on Sunday. The big scoring spurt started with a Jeff Gibbs inside bucket with 6:08 to play in the quarter. It ended with ...
Basketball / B. League Nov 1, 2019
Alvark make key plays in final minute, beat rival Brex in series opener
by Ed Odeven
The Alvark Tokyo displayed patience and poise throughout Friday's series opener against the Utsunomiya Brex. The two-time defending champions came through in the clutch in the pivotal moments of the fourth quarter, winning 73-72 at Brex Arena. Tokyo center Alex Kirk nailed a go-ahead inside jumper ...
Basketball / B. League Oct 2, 2019
Brex, Brave Thunders ready for season-opening clash
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The B. League has wrapped up its season with championship games at Yokohama Arena, one of the best venues for basketball in Japan, in each the last two years. Now, the Japanese men's pro circuit has decided to use the arena to open a new ...
Basketball Aug 27, 2019
Expectations rise for Japan at 32-team FIBA World Cup
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Making its fifth-ever appearance at the FIBA World Cup, Japan will dispatch arguably its best-ever squad on the global stage. While rough challenges are awaiting the team, which will face some of the world's elites in the 32-nation tourney in China, the Akatsuki Five are ...
Basketball Jul 18, 2019
Japan coach Julio Lamas outlines team's goals for FIBA Basketball World Cup
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Japan men's national team head coach Julio Lamas insisted that there will be uphill battles for the Akatsuki Five at the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, but said that he certainly hopes the team comes up with its best-ever results. One day after ...
Basketball / NBA Jul 13, 2019
Summer League players help boost NBA abroad
by Ed Odeven
After an NBA Board of Governors meeting earlier this week, commissioner Adam Silver addressed the media, and that gathering in New York included an assessment of the rise in Japanese players during the ongoing NBA Summer League. The commissioner also commented on the positive impact ...
Basketball / NBA Jul 11, 2019
Antonio Lang enjoying Summer League coaching challenge, seeing growth of Japanese basketball
by Kaz Nagatsuka
One familiar face for Japanese basketball fans is currently serving as a head coach during the ongoing NBA Summer League. Antonio Lang, a former long-time player and coach in Japan, is leading the wannabe Cleveland Cavaliers team here. Antonio Lang was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers ...
Basketball / B. League | B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Jun 6, 2019
NeoPhoenix turn to veteran coach Brian Rowsom in quest to make playoffs
by Ed Odeven
The San-en NeoPhoenix's victory total has decreased in each season of the B. League era. Therefore, team management decided it was time to make a coaching change, opting for a more experienced mentor to pilot the team. Brian Rowsom, who guided the CLS Knights Indonesia to ...
Basketball Feb 22, 2019
Makoto Hiejima, Nick Fazekas bring Japan to brink of World Cup berth
A hot-shooting 24-point, six-assist game from Makoto Hiejima pushed Japan past Iran and to the brink of World Cup qualification on Thursday. Hiejima came up big in the 97-89 victory in Tehran, with Japan's naturalized center Nick Fazekas continuing his fine play since his return ...
Basketball / B. League | B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Jan 17, 2019
Jets, Brex continue heavyweight battle for superiority
by Ed Odeven
Talk about excellent timing. After their thrilling Emperor's Cup final that went to overtime on Sunday afternoon at Saitama Super Arena, the title-chasing Chiba Jets Funabashi and Tochigi Brex staged a rematch on Wednesday night. Indeed, there was a buzz far greater than a typical regular-season ...