Japan's players brace for final push to make Olympic basketball team
The battle to make Japan’s 12-man roster will begin in earnest from Wednesday during the final window of FIBA Asian Cup qualifying.
Jets end long wait for B. League glory
Chiba, which lost the last two finals to the Alvark Tokyo, put down feisty Utsunomiya in Tuesday's decisive Game 3 to claim its first-ever league championship.
Ryan Rossiter-led Brex smash Jets to set up climactic Game 3
The Eastern Conference champions recovered from Saturday's lackluster performance to even the series at Yokohama Arena.
Brex make title statement with sweep of rival Brave Thunders
Among the B. League’s elite teams, Utsunomiya is probably the most cohesive unit, with playing time spread out and little reliance on particular star players.
Brex star Ryan Rossiter reflects on virus-shortened season, career
When the 2019-2020 B. League season was forced to end abruptly last month because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Utsunomiya Brex were among the contenders who lost their chance to capture the league title. Nevertheless, it was still a special season for Ryan Rossiter, who ...
Ryan Rossiter, Kosuke Kanamaru provide big boost in Japan's rout of Taiwan
National team debutant Ryan Rossiter and sharpshooter Kosuke Kanamaru provided stellar performances in Monday’s 96-57 win over Taiwan, and perhaps showcased new dimensions for the Akatsuki Five during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifier. Rossiter, who become a naturalized citizen in December, racked up 17 ...
Ryan Rossiter making case for spot on Japan squad
In preparation for its first game in 2020, the provisional Japan men's national team has been practicing in a series of training camps at Tokyo's National Training Center since the beginning of the month. Japan will face Taiwan in a qualifier for next year's Asia ...
Veteran forward Jawad Williams, rookie point guard Kai Toews bolster Brex for season's stretch run
The Utsunomiya Brex, who are built to win now, upgraded their roster in recent weeks. The addition of veteran forward Jawad Williams, who played an integral role for the Alvark Tokyo in their back-to-back B. League championship seasons (2017-18 and 2019-20), and rookie point guard ...
Japan coach Julio Lamas outlines goals for team before upcoming Asia Cup qualifiers
Japan men's national team head coach Julio Lamas said that it wasn't a surprise that his team didn't play as well as it had hoped to at last year's FIBA World Cup. Instead, he insisted that development takes place on a day-by-day pace. That said, the ...
Shimane coach Yukinori Suzuki gets two-month suspension for power harassment
Shimane Susanoo Magic head coach Yukinori Suzuki has received a two-month suspension by the league for power harassment, it was announced on Tuesday. Suzuki's punishment is for his treatment of an unnamed team staff member and a Shimane player, according to a league-issued statement and ...
Brex extend winning streak to 11 games
The Utsunomiya Brex are firing on all cylinders in pursuit of the B. League title. On Saturday, coach Ryuzo Anzai's squad collected its 11th consecutive victory, beating the visiting San-en NeoPhoenix 89-79 at Brex Arena Utsunomiya. Ryan Rossiter paced the Brex (18-4) with 27 points, nine ...
Nick Fazekas not ready to cede national team spot to naturalized Brex star Ryan Rossiter
A year ago, Japanese fans called Nick Fazekas a "savior" for completely changing the fortunes of Japan's men's basketball team during Asian qualifying for the FIBA World Cup. That success was something he took pride in being a big part of. But now, some have ...
