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, ...
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: ...
Fukuoka ends 12-game slide, hands Hiroshima 35th consecutive defeat
The Rizing Fukuoka scored points in a hurry and never let up in Friday's series opener against the host Hiroshima Lightning in Yamaguchi. The Rizing snapped a 12-game losing streak, winning 108-61. As a result, Hiroshima (1-40) suffered its 35th straight defeat, a bj-league record. Joseph Taylor ...
Hiroshima loses 33rd straight game
The Hiroshima Lightning's rapid-fire 3-point shooting failed to product the desire result on Friday. The visiting Osaka Evessa dominated on the boards and handed the Lightning a 99-81 defeat, the team's 33rd straight loss. Hiroshima (1-38) made 16 of 41 3s in the bj-league series opener ...
Hamamatsu's Johnson seals victory over Fukuoka at free-throw line
Kejuan Johnson was repeatedly sent to the free-throw line in Thursday's series opener. The Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix star capitalized on those opportunities. The 2014-15 regular-season MVP sank 15 of 17 free throws and scored a game-high 24 points, leading the defending champions to a 90-74 ...
Blackledge sparks Osaka in rout of Fukuoka
Lawrence "Trend" Blackledge put his stamp on Friday's game against the Rizing Fukuoka. The talented forward's all-around effort — 26 points on 10-for-15 shooting, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals — helped steer the Evessa to an 89-68 triumph, and the hosts extended ...
The Osaka Evessa's defense pressured the visiting Rizing Fukuoka throughout Thursday's series opener. That effort and energy paid off for the hosts. Osaka earned an 89-70 victory and forced 23 turnovers. The Evessa (24-11) won their third straight game and picked up their seventh victory in eight ...
Johnson sparks Kyoto in rout of Fukuoka
Tyren Johnson, who made his debut with the Kyoto Hannaryz a few days before Christmas, delivered an all-around performance that helped carry the Western Conference leaders to a 71-58 road victory over the Rizing Fukuoka on Saturday. Johnson, a 2012 NBA Development League All-Star while ...
League blows chance to honor Aoki
It's absolutely ridiculous that the most popular player in bj-league history is not going to play in the circuit's 10th and final All-Star Game. But it's not surprising. Really, it isn't. The bj-league has often failed to do things logically. And it's often failed to capitalize ...
Improved play has Fukuoka back in playoff race
There's no magic formula for the Rizing Fukuoka to swiftly climb in the Western Conference standings. But first-year coach Tomohiro Moriyama's club has made steady progress in recent weeks. The Rizing improved to 10-14 on Sunday after a 71-66 victory over the visiting Aomori Wat's ...
