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 ends World Cup journey with disappointing loss to Montenegro
The squad dubbed the best-ever in its history will exit China with nothing to celebrate. Japan's men's basketball team fell 80-65 to Montenegro in its final game at the 2019 FIBA World Cup on Monday, failing to post a single victory in five games at ...
New Zealand cruises past winless Japan
Despite playing without two key members, the Japan men's national squad expected to have a tough contest against another competitive team. But probably not this tough. The team remains winless at the FIBA World Cup after a crushing 111-81 defeat to New Zealand in a ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Former Japan stars praise growth
Former Japan men's basketball players Takehiko Orimo and Kei Igarashi are grateful the team's current iteration has raised its level in order to compete on the global level. Orimo, who at 49 years old continues to play for the B. League's Levanga Hokkaido, played for ...
Pistons coach Dwane Casey says guard play will be key for Japan at FIBA World Cup
Historically, the Japan men's national basketball team has had limited opportunities to compete on the global stage. For example, the team qualified for the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics and the 1998 FIBA World Championship, which was held in Athens. But the upcoming FIBA World Cup ...
