Nomadic Neumann lived an incredible basketball life
Johnny Neumann forged an unconventional path in life. As a prep basketball phenom at Overton High School in Memphis, Tennessee, in the late 1960s, Neumann was recruited by UCLA's John Wooden and Kentucky's Adolph Rupp, coaching titans of powerhouse programs in that era. He had ...
Struggling Evessa risk missing postseason
Coping with a slew of injuries and inconsistent play, the Osaka Evessa face an uphill battle to make the playoffs. It won't be easy. The Evessa (14-22) have lost five straight. The have five fewer victories than the Kyoto Hannaryz and SeaHorses Mikawa (both teams are ...
B. League boosts Kumamoto recovery
Sometimes, the combined efforts of government officials, volunteers, local residents and sports leagues team up to produce a certifiable winner. Such was the case with the second annual B. League All-Star Game on Jan. 15 at Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium. All in all, the weekend was ...
Five Arrows star Reggie Warren reflects on latest career milestone, basketball heroes
Consistency is a hallmark of Reggie Warren's successful basketball career. Throughout his career, including a large chunk of it spent in Japan, Warren has consistently produced double-doubles. Getting 10 or more points and double figures in rebounds is what he's done game after game, season ...
Five Arrows add Warren, Kuso to roster
Dependable frontcourt leaders Reggie Warren and Abdullahi Kuso are looking to help transform the Kagawa Five Arrows into a potent force in the second division this season. The Five Arrows went 19-41 last season, finishing fifth in the B2's West Division. The franchise, formerly known as ...
Hot-streaking Volters in a hurry to reach first division
The Kumamoto Volters are a team on a mission. Sure, winning games is a top priority. But it's an objective trumped by their ongoing quest to play in the first division next season. So far, so good. The Kyushu-based club is first overall in the 18-team ...
First weekend an encouraging start
Optimism is the common emotion shared by all teams as the new season unfolds in the early stages. Players, coaches and fans are fired up to be a part of something new, something unified after a directionless decade for Japan pro basketball. There's also been an ...
Sharpshooter Roby expected to give NeoPhoenix boost
Richard Roby, a driving force behind the Akita Northern Happinets' success over the past three seasons, brings his high-octane offensive output to the San-en NeoPhoenix for the launch of a new era. When the B. League tips off later this month, the team formerly called ...
Kinjo leads by example for Ryukyu
In the Ryukyu Golden Kings' infancy, before the team made multiple championship game appearances, Shigeyuki Kinjo was one of the league's most exciting, explosive Japanese backcourt stars. The Okinawa native had a real gift for taking — and making — gutsy shots and a riverboat ...
Warren remains one of best on boards
Whenever he steps onto a basketball court, Reggie Warren's fierce desire to win is a recognizable trait. Since 2006, the veteran power forward has been a key piece to the puzzle for five bj-league franchises: Takamatsu Five Arrows (2006-08), Saitama Broncos (2008-09), Kyoto Hannaryz (2010-11, ...
Defense paying dividends in West
Tenacity and rock-solid fundamentals fuel top defenses. What else makes them click? An intense desire to limit foes' scoring chances and high-percentage shots and keeping their point totals down, too. With about one-third of the season in the books, several teams have emerged as the league's elite ...
Hamamatsu overwhelms Nara for ninth straight victory
The defending champion Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix drained 19 3-pointers in a runaway 109-63 triumph over the Bambitious Nara on Monday afternoon in the bj-league. The Western Conference-leading Phoenix (13-3 overall, 8-2 at home) led 25-10 after one quarter and 51-26 at halftime, and were never ...
