Mavericks invite Alvark's Yudai Baba to fall tryout
Yudai Baba has stressed that he wants to be an NBA player, participating in a mini-camp and playing in July's Summer League. Now the 23-year-old speedster has made even further progress toward his dream. Baba's Japanese club Alvark Tokyo announced on Tuesday that the player will ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
In Shanghai, Japan begins final preparations for FIBA World Cup
Two days before their first game at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Japan men's national team members still looked relaxed, but at the same time they were certainly aware that the clock is ticking. On Friday, the Akatsuki Five took the floor at Shanghai Oriental ...
Expectations rise for Japan at 32-team FIBA World Cup
Making its fifth-ever appearance at the FIBA World Cup, Japan will dispatch arguably its best-ever squad on the global stage. While rough challenges are awaiting the team, which will face some of the world's elites in the 32-nation tourney in China, the Akatsuki Five are ...
Argentina's experience pays off in victory over Japan
Japan competed resiliently against world No. 5 Argentina but fell 108-93 in a warm-up contest for the FIBA World Cup at Saitama Super Arena on Thursday night. Japan will play Germany and Tunisia in additional warm-up games at the same arena as part of a ...
Rui Hachimura's 35 points drive Akatsuki Five to exhibition win over New Zealand
NBA first-round draftee Rui Hachimura navigated Japan to a 99-89 victory over New Zealand on Monday, delivering a stellar performance in Japan's first warmup exhibition ahead of the upcoming FIBA World Cup. The 21-year-old forward scored 35 points to help the Akatsuki Five post a ...
Japan coach Julio Lamas outlines team's goals for FIBA Basketball World Cup
Japan men's national team head coach Julio Lamas insisted that there will be uphill battles for the Akatsuki Five at the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, but said that he certainly hopes the team comes up with its best-ever results. One day after ...
Summer League players help boost NBA abroad
After an NBA Board of Governors meeting earlier this week, commissioner Adam Silver addressed the media, and that gathering in New York included an assessment of the rise in Japanese players during the ongoing NBA Summer League. The commissioner also commented on the positive impact ...
Antonio Lang enjoying Summer League coaching challenge, seeing growth of Japanese basketball
One familiar face for Japanese basketball fans is currently serving as a head coach during the ongoing NBA Summer League. Antonio Lang, a former long-time player and coach in Japan, is leading the wannabe Cleveland Cavaliers team here. Antonio Lang was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers ...
An earthquake that struck Southern California forced the NBA to postpone the finish of a Summer League game between New Orleans and New York on Friday night. The Knicks-Pelicans game, the NBA debut for No. 1 pick Zion Williamson of New Orleans, was called with ...
