Former NBA forward Ike Diogu joins Susanoo Magic
Nigeria national team captain Ike Diogu, a well-traveled former NBA player, will begin the next chapter of his pro career with the Shimane Susanoo Magic. The announcement, made on Monday by the B. League first-division squad, came a couple weeks before the FIBA World Cup ...
Ryuji Aoki set to launch pro career with Shinshu Brave Warriors
Ryuji Aoki will begin his pro basketball career with the Shinshu Brave Warriors. The defending B. League second-division champions made the announcement on Wednesday, giving the cerebral guard a chance to begin his pro career in his homeland. The 21-year-old Aoki, who was born in Aichi ...
Former Olympiacos assistant Christos Marmarinos named Storks bench boss
The Nishinomiya Storks on Tuesday appointed veteran Greek coach Christos Marmarinos as their new bench boss. Marmarinos replaces Miodrag Rajkovic, the Serbian who led the second-division team this past season. The Storks went 34-26 under Rajkovic, placing third in the six-team Central Division, 14 games behind ...
Standout point guard Kaito Ishikawa joins Kumamoto Volters
Kaito Ishikawa demonstrated throughout the 2018-19 season that he was one of the B. League's most dependable point guards. The Tokyo native shined for the B2 champion Shinshu Brave Warriors, culminating with the second-division playoff MVP award. In the B2 championship final's title-clinching game, Ishikawa ...
Alvark, Jets post victories in semifinal series openers
The Alvark Tokyo scratched and clawed their way to a third-place finish in the brutal East Division during the regular season. Forty-four wins in 60 games was what they accomplished. Indeed, it wasn't easy. On Saturday, the resilient defending champions moved a step closer to achieving ...
Chiba set for semifinal clash with Tochigi; Ryukyu faces Tokyo
Motivation can be a powerful emotion in sports. For the Chiba Jets Funabashi, last season's defeat in the B. League Championship final to the Alvark Tokyo has been their motivational force throughout this season. Jets shooting guard Kosuke Ishii admitted as much after Chiba's 96-85, series-clinching ...
Shinshu can win title, but not promotion
The Shinshu Brave Warriors have excelled this season under the steady leadership of head coach Michael Katsuhisa. The Brave Warriors (43-11 through Sunday) are poised to finish atop the B. League second division's Central Division standings. Furthermore, the Nagano Prefecture-based team owns the third-best winning ...
Nara the latest destination for high-scoring forward Jeff Parmer
After two seasons in a Yokohama B-Corsairs uniform, power forward Jeff Parmer is ready for a change of scenery. The former bj-league MVP has joined the Bambitious Nara, the second-division club announced on Monday. For Parmer, Nara becomes the fifth Japan pro basketball franchise he's joined. ...
Title-winning Brex decline to offer a new contract to veteran coach Wisman
After leading the Tochigi Brex to their first B. League title — and a second league championship under his watchful eye — Tom Wisman was not offered a contract for the 2017-18 campaign. Now, nearly two months after Tochigi's 85-79 triumph over the Kawasaki Brave ...
Energizer Garrett guides Alvark Tokyo to victory over Levanga Hokkaido
In a showdown of East Division squads on Friday, the Alvark Tokyo's deep bench and overall talent played key roles as they prevailed over the Levanga Hokkaido in the B. League series opener. Shooting guard Diante Garrett led Tokyo with a dynamic, high-energy, all-around performance, ...
Coaching moves already underway
The annual coaching carousel changes the landscape of who's in charge. With the conclusion of the bj-league's 11th and final season on May 15, when the Ryukyu Golden Kings captured their record fourth title, a number of teams have switched — or plan to switch ...
Rookie sensation Nash raising profile with Firebonds
Fukushima Firebonds forward Le'Bryan Nash has been the league's premier scorer this season. His professional basketball career started with 30-plus points in each of his first four games in October, followed by a 47-point outburst in game No. 5. On Jan. 24, Nash earned All-Star Game ...
