Yuta Watanabe shifts focus to upcoming NBA season
Just over 14, 15 hours after his return from China, Yuta Watanabe was back at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Wednesday, where the Japan men’s national team had landed on its return from the FIBA World Cup the previous night. And he was already "in an ...
Japan's shortcomings laid bare at FIBA World Cup
High hopes turned into devastation — and misery. With an 80-65 loss to Montenegro on Monday, the Japan men's basketball team concluded its campaign at the 2019 FIBA World Cup with a disastrous 0-5 record, the worst-ever outcome for the team in the sport's extravaganza. Considering ...
Japan looking to end FIBA World Cup on high note
The Japan men's national team is wounded both physically and mentally. Which makes posting its first win at the FIBA World Cup appear to be a daunting task, especially considering the absence of star player Rui Hachimura. Japan will face Montenegro in its final World ...
Rui Hachimura to sit out remainder of FIBA World Cup
Star forward Rui Hachimura will not play in Japan's consolation games against New Zealand and Montenegro in order to rest his weary body, the Japan Basketball Association announced on Friday. A decision was made regarding Hachimura after discussions between the JBA and the Washington Wizards, ...
U.S. crushes Japan in World Cup group game
The result was anticipated. Nevertheless, the game left the Akatsuki Five with grief and a sigh. The Japan men’s national team posted a third straight loss in the first round of the FIBA World Cup with a 98-45 pounding to reigning tournament and Olympic champion ...
Japan eager to show improvement on hardwood
Most of the players on Japan's roster for the current FIBA World Cup didn't make the trip to Belgrade three years ago for the Olympic Qualification Tournament ahead of the 2016 Rio Games. Despite not being part of that team, which looked helpless in an ...
Rui Hachimura believes his game has grown this summer. He knows his confidence has. It has been a hectic and nonexistent offseason for the soon-to-be Washington Wizards rookie — he was drafted No. 9 overall in June, played NBA summer league in July and has ...
Japan eliminated from World Cup contention after loss to Czech Republic
The Japan men’s national team played a lot better than on Sunday, but it wasn’t good enough to post its first victory at the FIBA World Cup on Tuesday. The Czech Republic defeated Japan 89-76 at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. The Asian squad (0-2) is now ...
Akatsuki Five look for answers after opening defeat at World Cup
One day after a devastating loss in its opening game, the Japan men’s basketball team resumed its training, trying to hold its head high up ahead for the remainder of its pool games at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. The Akatsuki Five, who fell to ...
Akatsuki Five shell-shocked in Shanghai as Turkey claims Group E opener
Japan's players seemed shell-shocked early on and it wound up costing them significantly in their first game at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Japan was unable to compete at its own rhythm on offense or defense and fell 86-67 against Turkey in Group E action ...
Japanese fans flock to Shanghai for FIBA World Cup
The rapidly growing popularity of Japanese basketball and its men's national team has brought fans from the country to China for the FIBA World Cup. Longtime basketball fan Atsushi Kawai was one of many eager Akatsuki Five fanatics wearing vivid red Japan T-shirts at Shanghai ...
Japan maintains positive vibe before FIBA World Cup opener against Turkey
The challenge that awaits the Japan men's national team is certainly big. But the players are filled with positive energy and are ready for it. One day before Japan competes in its first 2019 FIBA World Cup game, the squad wrapped up its final practice ...
