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Japan Forward
2 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Forward
B.League Unveils Best Five Team and Other Awards
Teammates DJ Newbill and Makoto Hiejima of the title-winning Utsunomiya Brex were named to the Best Five Team for the second straight year. chairman Shinji Shimada (left) and Utsunomiya Brex coach Zico Coronel pose with Brex players during the league's annual awards show on May 30, 2025, in Tokyo. Coronel and Kevin Braswell, his predecessor who died in February, share the Head Coach of the Year Award. (©SANKEI) The 2024-25 Award show was held on Friday, honoring players and teams for their achievements during the season. At the annual event in Tokyo, the top accolade went to Utsunomiya Brex veteran guard DJ Newbill, who was named season MVP for the second straight year. The Penn State alum also received the Finals MVP accolade after helping lead the Brex past the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the championship series on Tuesday, May 27. Newbill averaged 21.7 points and 6.0 assists, leading all players in both categories, in the three-game series. During the regular season, he averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He was eighth in scoring and second in assists in the 24-team league. Above all, Newbill's confidence, productivity and on-court leadership were instrumental in the Brex's overall success. Utsunomiya had a league-best 48-12 record and Newbill was the team's best player this past season. MVP DJ Newbill receives the MVP award for the second year in a row. (©SANKEI) At the banquet, Newbill paid tribute to his late mentor Kevin Braswell, the team's head coach who passed away on February 24. He thanked Braswell for his positive influence on his career. "I'd like to dedicate the MVP award to him," Braswell told the audience, Sankei Sports reported. "I want give a shout-out to my former coach, Coach KB," Newbill said on the stage. "[And] I think this season he really lit a fire under me and challenged me to take my game to new heights, and even with this season being as difficult as it was, losing him, I think everything that he's taught me from Day 1 and taught us from Day 1 ... our team just kept the determination each and every day in practice and each and every game." MVP DJ Newbill (©SANKEI) Newbill, who turned 33 on May 22, two days before the Finals started, headlines the Best Five Team for the second year in a row. Players are selected for their overall excellence throughout the season. Also named to the Best Five Team was Brex shooting guard Makoto Hiejima, who was selected for the fourth time and for the second straight year. Hiejima averaged 13.2 points and 4.2 assists in 58 games. He was at his best in the fourth quarter in Game 3 of the Finals, when he scored 14 of his 17 points to ignite the Brex comeback. Hiejima was also recognized for being the top 3-point shooter in the He led all players with 44.3% shooting accuracy (133 of 300) from beyond the arc. Brex star Makoto Hiejima (©SANKEI) "I've acquired the ability to finish off shots when the opponent is more cautious," Hiejima said, reflecting on his success as an outside shooter in 2024-25. "I think this award shows my growth." Ryukyu forward Vic Law (16.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists) was named to the Best Five Team for the first time. San-en NeoPhoenix swingman David Nwaba (17.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists) and NeoPhoenix point guard Ryusei Sasaki (who led the in assists with 6.5 per game and scored 11.5 ppg) were also both first-time honorees. Ryukyu's Masahiro Waki ( NeoPhoenix guard Sota Oura, who averaged 9.8 points and 4.6 assists off the bench in 59 games (zero starts) received the Best Sixth Man accolade. Chibs Jets guard/forward Shuta Hara received the Best Defender Award for the second time. He also won it in the 2022-23 campaign. Golden Kings shooting guard Masahiro Waki was chosen as the Rookie of the Year. The Kumamoto native contributed 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 60 games (49 starts) for Ryukyu. The 2024-25 champion Utsunomiya Brex attend the awards ceremony. (©SANKEI) Braswell and Brex acting head coach Zico Coronel were named co-winners of the Head Coach of the Year Award. Appropriately, the league recognized the coaching leadership of both men and the challenge that Coronel faced. Hired as Braswell's assistant, the New Zealander stepped in to guide the team after Braswell had a heart attack in January and died a few weeks later. Second Team honors went to guards Yuki Togashi (Chiba Jets) and Seiya Ando (Shimane Susanoo Magic) and frontcourt standouts Ryan Rossiter (Alvark Tokyo), Yante Maten (NeoPhoenix) and Brock Motum (Shiga Lakes). Kashima Antlers forward Leo Ceara scores in the ninth minute against Gamba Osaka on May 31 in Suita, Osaka Prefecture. (KYODO) Entering June, the fifth month of the 2025 season, the Kashima Antlers appear to be well on their way to claiming their ninth league title. There's, of course, a slew of matches still to be played. But the Antlers (13 wins, one draw, five defeats) have excelled since the start of the season in February and sit atop the table with 40 points. Sitting in second and third place, respectively, are Kashiwa Reysol (34 points for 19 matches) and Sanfrecce Hiroshima (32 points for 18 matches). On Wednesday, June 4, Hiroshima will play its 19th game, facing host Avispa Fukuoka, to equal the total to date of Kashima and Kashiwa. The Antlers earned their latest victory ― a 1-0 away decision over Gamba Osaka ― on Saturday, May 31. Brazilian Leo Ceara scored the lone goal in the ninth minute at Panasonic Stadium Suita. It was Kashima's fourth win in four matches, a stretch in which manager Toru Oniki's club allowed zero goals three times and a single tally on two occasions. Oniki acknowledged his team set the tone for the win with its first-half effort. "The players worked hard and the supporters supported us," the veteran manager told reporters after the match. "I think that was the only thing that mattered in the first half." With 29 goals scored and only 15 allowed so far, the Antlers have strong overall productivity on offense and defense. And they look like the clear-cut favorite to win another title. ODDS and EVENS | Season is Providing Compelling Competition Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run in the first inning against the New York Yankees on May 30 at Dodger Stadium. (Jason Parkhurst/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS) The reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 8-5 on Friday, May 30 at Dodger Stadium. Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani belted a pair of solo home runs for the hosts in the opener of a three-game series. Ohtani homered off Yankees starter Max Fried in the first inning. He added a bases-empty blast off Fried in the sixth. The pride of Iwate Prefecture leads MLB in home runs (22) in the 2025 season. Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto is slated to start the series finale on Sunday. Yamamoto (6-3) is among MLB's ERA leaders (1.97, fifth-lowest average through May 30). Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga plays catch on May 30 in Chicago. (KYODO) In other MLB news, Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga is making progress in his recovery from a left hamstring strain, according to manager Craig Counsell. Imanaga has not pitched in a game since sustaining the injury on May 4. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 23. On Wednesday, May 28, Imanaga had an on-field test for his physical recovery. It included fielding practice and running along with a 28-pitch bullpen session, The Associated Press reported. What was Counsell's assessment of Imanaga's workout? "So all in all, a very good workday," Counsell was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. "Kind of repeat that this weekend, assuming everything turns up well tomorrow, and then go from there." For Imanaga, a trip to the Cubs spring training complex in Mesa, Arizona, would be the next step in making preparations for his return to the starting rotation. Highly touted Japanese baseball prospect Rintaro Sasaki played in all 52 of the Stanford University baseball team's games during the 2025 season. The Cardinal (27-25) lost their final game to Virginia Tech in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Championship on May 20. Sasaki finished his freshman season with a .269 batting average with seven homers and 41 RBIs. He also had a team-high 25 walks. Doubles partners Hiroto Shinozuka (left) and Shunsuke Togami react after winning the men's final at the World Table Tennis Championships on May 25 in Lusail, Qatar. (AP/via KYODO) For the first time since 1961, Japan claimed the men's doubles title at the World Table Tennis Championships on Sunday, May 25. Hiroto Shinozuka and Shunsuke Togami teamed up for a 6-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6 victory over Taiwan's Cheng Jui Kao and Yun Ju Lin in Lusail, Qatar. Shinozuka and Togami were the No 2 seeds. Their Taiwanese opponents were seeded sixth. After winning the title, Togami, 23, was euphoric. "I'm so happy," Togami said, according to Kyodo News. "We dropped the first game because of my errors, but a fired-up Hiroto Shinozuka was alongside me." In Beijing, Nobuya Hoshino and Koji Kimura triumphed at the 1961 World Table Tennis Championships. ―Former NPB pitching star Kimiyasu Kudo , who won five Japan Series titles as the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks manager (during his tenure from 2015-21), on his baseball aspirations for Indonesia. Kudo, 62, participated in a baseball clinic, featuring junior high and high school students, in Jakarta on May 17, NHK reported. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
Japan Forward
4 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Forward
MLB Stars Ohtani and Suzuki Wielding Powerful Bats
Reporting on MLB sluggers Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki, the upcoming participation of the Utsunomiya Brex in Asia's Basketball Champions League and more. Shohei Ohtani (left) and Seiya Suzuki (©KYODO; GETTY IMAGES/via KYODO) Heading into the weekend of May 30-June 1, Japanese sluggers Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki lead MLB in two of baseball's most significant batting statistics ― home runs and RBIs, respectively. Ohtani, a three-time MVP (twice with the Los Angeles Angels in the American League and the reigning winner in the National League), is No 1 in Major League Baseball with 20 home runs. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar bashed his latest homer on May 27 against the Cleveland Guardians, a two-out, two-run blast in the fourth inning. LA won 9-5. Reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani (Brad Penner/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS) In May, Ohtani has hit 13 homers, reminding everyone that his power display in 2024 (54 round-trippers) was no fluke. And twice this month, he's homered in three consecutive games. His 20th homer was also noteworthy from a historical context because he became only the third Dodger to slug at least 20 round-trippers in the team's first 55 games. The others: Cody Bellinger (20 in 2019) and Gil Hodges (21 in 1951). Chicago Cubs star Suzuki, who is batting .273, leads MLB with 51 RBIs. He also has 14 homers. Suzuki was 11-for-27 in his last seven games, including four homers and eight RBIs. In May, he's hit seven homers and amassed 26 RBIs. Suzuki was named NL Player of the Week on May 26. And what a week it was for Suzuki, who batted .480 with three homers and four doubles in six games from May 19-25. He also drove in 10 runs in that span. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is impressed with Suzuki's continued growth as a hitter. "His ability to hit and to continue to develop hitting premium velocity has been really important," Hoyer said, according to "I just see a guy that's more aggressive both in demeanor and also in counts. He was a little bit more passive at the plate before. He's got guys on base and he's looking to do damage, and he has." Chicago Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki bats against the Colorado Rockies on May 27 at Wrigley Field. (GETTY IMAGES/via KYODO) Now in his fourth season with the Cubs, Suzuki is striving to be a productive player. For the most part, he's pleased with his play of late on offense. "I don't know if I can say it's the best [stretch of my career]," Suzuki said through an interpreter, reported. "But I feel like I've been doing really well. Obviously, I'm going to have moments where the performance isn't as good, and I'll talk to the coaches and see what adjustments I need to make. But I'm happy with how it's gone so far." The Utsunomiya Brex, the 2024-25 champions, celebrate their title-clinching win on May 27 at Yokohama Arena. (KYODO) After winning the title on Tuesday, May 27, the Utsunomiya Brex celebrated their glorious achievement. But their offseason has not yet begun. The Brex will participate in the Basketball Champions League Asia, which will be held June 7-13 in Dubai. It will consist of eight nations' domestic champions plus the winner of the FIBA West Asia Super League. East Asian representatives include the Meralco Bolts (Philippines), the Changwon LG Sakers (South Korea) and the Zhejiang Lions (China). First-round action will feature three groups, with round-robin competition in each group. Finals: Utsunomiya Rallies Past Ryukyu to Capture the Title Following the Ryukyu Golden Kings' 73-71 loss to the Brex in Game 3 of the Finals, veteran forward Vic Law shared his thoughts on the team's disappointing finish. Law's shot on the last play of the game was blocked, ending the possibility of overtime. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened," Law wrote on Twitter. "Heartbroken we couldn't win the championship but extremely proud of our team. No one believed we could make it there and we proved everyone wrong. Thank you to everyone who supported us along the way." The Golden Kings reached the championship round for the fourth consecutive season, an unprecedented streak since the was launched in 2016. Hiroki Yanagita (center) wins the men's 100-meter final at the Asian Athletics Championships on May 28 in Gumi, South Korea. (KYODO) Four Japan national team representatives have secured gold medals at the ongoing Asian Athletics Championships (May 27-31) in Gumi, South Korea. As of Friday, May 30, Japan's event winners are Hiroki Yanagita in the men's 100 meters (10.20 seconds, a season-best time), Kazuto Iizawa in the men's 1,500 (3:42.56, a personal-best time), Paris Olympian Rachid Muratake in the men's 110-meter hurdles (13.22 seconds), and Nanako Matsumoto in the women's 400 (52.17 seconds, a personal-best mark). Yanagita, a 21-year-old athlete, had mixed feelings about his performance in the men's 100. "I did manage to win consecutive victories [at the Asian Athletics Championships], but I wasn't satisfied with the results," Yanagita was quoted as saying by the Tokyo Broadcasting System website. He added, "I was hoping that I could win consecutive victories by breaking the participation standard for the Tokyo World Athletics Championships (10.00 seconds). But I'm disappointed that I couldn't break the standard I had in mind the most." For Matsumoto, her triumph in South Korea was satisfying. "Winning a competition that I entered with the goal of winning gives me a lot of confidence," the 28-year-old said, according to TBS. ASICS' New Marathon Shoe Weighs Only 129 Grams Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
Japan Forward
7 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Forward
B.League Finals: Utsunomiya Rallies Past Ryukyu to Capture the Title
In Game 3 of the Finals, the Brex erased an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Makoto Hiejima led the comeback with 14 points in the final period. The Utsunomiya Brex captured the franchise's third title on May 27, 2025, at Yokohama Arena, beating the Ryukyu Golden Kings 73-71 in Game 3. (© YOKOHAMA ― Big plays and big moments defined Game 3 of the Finals. The Utsunomiya Brex also had more points in the fourth quarter (29) than either team had in the other 10-minute periods. Star guard Makoto Hiejima's dynamic fourth quarter, when he scored 14 of his 17 points, provided the spark to ignite the Brex offense in the game's most critical stage against the Ryukyu Golden Kings. Simply put, Hiejima's 5-for-5 shooting touch in the final stanza was a pivotal component of the team's title-clinching, 73-71 victory at Yokohama Arena on Tuesday night, May 27. The Brex have now won more titles (three) than any other team in history. The Alvark Tokyo have a pair of titles (2017-18 and 2018-19, when the championship was decided by a single game). It was an emotional win for the Brex, who dedicated their season to Kevin Braswell, their beloved head coach who died on February 24, 2025, at age 46 after having a heart attack and heart surgery. In every game they played since his death, Braswell's framed portrait was displayed on the seat next to bench boss Zico Coronel, who succeeded him as the team's top coach. Coronel later held the picture frame, with Braswell's photo facing his heart during his postgame interview. Braswell and Coronel were close friends who previously coached together and against one another in New Zealand. After the fourth quarter ended, Utsunomiya players, the coaching staff and team personnel exchanged hugs and smiles and tears of joy. Makoto Hiejima (©SANKEI) Zico Coronel (©SANKEI) DJ Newbill (©SANKEI) Coronel described the Golden Kings as a sensational team during his postgame interview on the court, noting their four consecutive appearances in the Finals. He said they are "an unbelievable collection of coaches [and] players." To beat Ryukyu in Game 3, "we are very fortunate," said Coronel, who hails from New Zealand. Kevin Braswell's portrait is displayed on the Utsunomiya Brex bench during Game 3. (KYODO) Coronel then spoke about Braswell's children, recalling something their father had mentioned. "Your dad believed this team could be special," an emotional Coronel said. "You see now he's a wise man. He believed you could be very, very special through the ups and downs in life as you grow up. Never forget that." Coronel called the Brex "a special team." "I think you can see by all the tears there's no other team who has been in the hospital together, been to the funeral together," he said, recalling the team's collective experience over the past few months. This title, he said, "means the world to us," and by winning it, "we get to honor KB." Coronel then paid tribute to Utsunomiya's fans. "You were amazing for your team all year long," he said. "As we've said all season long since day one, Brex Nation, you were the big yellow wave that brought us home to the shore. Thank you very much." Finals MVP DJ Newbill averaged 21.7 points and 6.0 assists in the three games at Yokohama Arena. ( Brex guard DJ Newbill, who scored a game-high 19 points and handed out five assists to lead all players, was named Finals MVP. "Man, I feel great," the Penn State alum said. "I'm so proud of our team and so proud of our fans. [And] I'm just filled with joy right now." Newbill added, "Man, we all had the same goal since KB passed on and we wanted to get one (the title) for him. And we got one for KB." Newbill was named MVP of the 2023-24 season, his first with the Brex. Utsunomiya had a league-best 51-9 record last season but lost in the opening round of the playoffs. They returned in October 2024 with a new head coach in Braswell, who previously had been an assistant coach with the team, and once again had the league's best record (48-12). Brex guard Makoto Hiejima defends Golden Kings guard Hayate Arakawa in the first half. (KYODO) The Golden Kings took an 18-11 lead into the second quarter and continued to dominate. With 2:37 remaining until halftime, a Keve Aluma 3-pointer gave them a double-digit lead (35-23) for the first time. Moments later, Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki sank another 3 to make it 38-26. By halftime, Golden Kings star Vic Law was one rebound shy of a double-double (11 points, nine boards). Ryukyu's Jack Cooley (right) and Utsunomiya's Gavin Edwards compete in Game 3. (KYODO) Capitalizing on its energy, Ryukyu created consistent scoring opportunities in the opening half, outscoring Utsunomiya 12-2 on fast-break plays. The Golden Kings also had nine turnovers in the first half. Additional mistakes on offense were more costly in the second half for Ryukyu coach Dai Oketani's club. "In the first half, we were able to play good basketball at the pace of the Kings," Oketani said after the game. "But in the second half, our scoring was halted by turnovers, and we were targeted for those points by Utsunomiya, which has very skilled players." Hiejima was held to zero points on 0-for-4 shooting in the first half. Trailing by 12 points when the third quarter began, the Brex quickly began to chip away at the lead. Gavin Edwards nailed the first basket of the second half, a 3-pointer, at the 9:03 mark. Just over a minute later, Edwards caught a pass from Hiejima and slammed the ball through the net. The Brex trailed 43-36 at this point. Momentum was shifting. With 6:07 to play in the third, Edwards was called for his third foul, as Cooley took a charge. Both veteran standouts fouled out in the fourth quarter. Utsunomiya's Grant Jerrett had 15 points in Game 3. ( Former NBA forward Grant Jerrett capped a 10-0 run and cut it to 43-42 on a putback. For Ryukyu, that one-point lead was back to five and then a Tatsuya Ito steal, followed by a Masahiro Waki layup increased its advantage to 51-44 on the final play of the third quarter. But the Golden Kings had an inadequate performance on offense in the third, making only 4 of 12 shots from the floor. The absence of point guard Ryuichi Kishimoto (foot injury), who has a knack for hitting clutch shots, proved to be a factor in this series. Makoto Hiejima, seen in action in the second quarter, found his shooting touch in the second half. ( With 9:07 remaining in the fourth quarter, Aluma knocked down a 3. The Okinawa squad now led 57-46 and Aluma now had 12 points on the night to the delight of rabid Ryukyu supporters, who were smiling and chanting "Go, go Kings" That was when Hiejima started to heat up on offense. He made a 3-pointer in response to Aluma's. Looking back on the Utsunomiya comeback, Hiejima spoke about his style of play. Makoto Hiejima led all scorers with 14 points in the fourth quarter. (©SANKEI) "I'm sorry, but I don't shoot unless I'm under pressure," Hiejima said on the court in his postgame interview. Describing his role as the catalyst of the rally, he added: "It was a shot that I really made with my heart, and I believe that the late head coach Braswell gave me the push I needed." Shortly after that, a pair of Newbill free throws cut it to 58-53 with 6:50 to play. Cooley picked up his fifth foul with 5:48 remaining. It was a frustrating night for the longtime Kings big man, who finished with four points and three rebounds. After Cooley's departure, Brex guard Atsuya Ogawa buried a left-corner 3-pointer for his first basket of the game. Utsunomiya now trailed 62-57. That quickly changed. Hiejima showcased his athleticism on a driving layup and made it a one-possession game, 62-59 in favor of Ryukyu. With 3:49 remaining, Hiejima lived up to his reputation as a player who thrives in high-pressure moments, converting a mid-range jumper. Newbill's stop-and-pop 3-pointer made it 67-66 with 1:15 remaining, and gave the Brex their first lead since the 8:47 mark of the opening quarter. After Aluma sank two foul shots to put his team ahead by one, Hiejima flushed a catch-and-shoot 3 from the left corner. That gave Utsunomiya a 70-68 lead with 33 seconds remaining. Hiejima sank two free throws to extend the lead to 72-68. Seiji Ikaruga made the first of two foul shots with 11 seconds to play, giving the Brex a 73-68 lead. Aluma missed a 3 on the Golden Kings' next possession and Kirk's putback jam made it 73-70. Ikaruga turned the ball over with 2 seconds to play, giving Ryukyu a chance to tie the game. And Aluma was fouled by Kosuke Takeuchi on a 3-point attempt with 0.6 seconds remaining. A 79.6% free-throw shooter in the regular season, Aluma made the first attempt and the second one rattled off the rim. He intentionally missed the third one, giving his team the possibility of being in greater position to snare the rebound and make a game-tying shot. The first part of that strategy worked, as Law grabbed the rebound. Then Jerrett made the Brex's biggest defensive play of the game, blocking Law's close-range shot. The final buzzer sounded. Brex fans rejoiced. And the Golden Kings lost in the Finals for the second consecutive year. The Utsunomiya Brex celebrate the franchise's third title. ( "When I think about whether or not we were able to switch the game around properly as a team when the other team took over in the fourth quarter, I have some regrets," said Matsuwaki, one of three Golden Kings players to score in double digits. He had 12 points, Aluma scored 15 and Law had 16 on 4-for-16 shooting and 13 rebounds. Matsuwaki added, "However, I am proud that we were able to make it to the Finals stage like this, and I am glad that we fought as a team. We really wanted to win the championship, but I think we were able to move in the right direction throughout the season." The Golden Kings react after their Game 3 loss. (KYODO) Coach Oketani expressed gratitude for his players' effort in the Finals and throughout the season. "The players fought hard until the very end, despite everything that has happened so far," said Oketani, whose team defeated the San-en NeoPhoenix in double overtime in Game 2 of the playoff semifinals to force a decisive Game 3. A Game 2 win on Sunday, May 25 provided the same opportunity for his club in the Finals. "Everyone grew and fulfilled their roles," added Oketani. "I feel that it was a very successful season. I would like to thank all of our fans for their support, for today's game would not have been possible without it. We will work even harder, and I hope that you, the fans, will join us in supporting us." On YouTube, commenting on a Game 3 highlights video, a Golden Kings supporter shared their thoughts on the 2024-25 season and the Finals. "I was happy to see the Kings playing without giving up until the very end," the fan wrote. "Of course it's frustrating, but thank you so much for bringing us to the Finals. I think it's really amazing that they've made it to the Finals four years in a row. They are the pride of Okinawa." Newbill was the leading scorer in Game 1 (25 points), and he led all players with 21 points in Game 2. Since the current format (best-of-three) was first held in 2021 for the Finals, two championship series required a third game. The Chiba Jets claimed the title in 2021 with a Game 3 win over the Brex. And in 2024, the Hiroshima Dragonflies topped the Golden Kins 65-50 in Game 3. Nearly all of the Utsunomiya boosters, who proudly claim membership in the Brex Nation, wore yellow shirts or team jerseys. Almost every Golden Kings fan was clad in either yellow or white. In all, it was a bright backdrop of colors in the spacious arena. After losing the battle on the boards in Game 2 (Ryukyu outrebounded Utsunomiya 47-33), the Brex had a stronger effort in that phase of the game on Tuesday as the Kings held a slight edge (41-37). Brex teammates Makoto Hiejima and DJ Newbill embrace after the game. ( "It was a really tough season, but everyone on the team played with a special and strong desire for head coach Braswell, and I am very happy that we were able to make history with this win," Hiejima said after the Brex's title-clinching win. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
Japan Forward
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
B.League Playoffs: Utsunomiya and Ryukyu Survive Semifinal Showdowns to Reach the Finals
The Brex kept alive their goal of winning a third title by ousting the Chiba Jets, and the Golden Kings eliminated the San-en NeoPhoenix. Utsunomiya Brex forward Grant Jerrett looks to score against the Chiba Jets in Game 3 of a semifinal series on May 19, 2025, in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture. (© There are a number of notable facts connected to the upcoming Finals. For starters, the Ryukyu Golden Kings are the first team in league history to advance to the championship round in four consecutive years. Their previous three trips included a pair of championship runner-up finishes, including in 2024 against the Hiroshima Dragonflies. In addition, the Utsunomiya Brex have a shot at becoming the first franchise to win the title three times. Led by American bench boss Tom Wisman, the team then known as Link Tochigi Brex captured the title to conclude the inaugural 2016-17 season. And the Brex, then guided by head coach Ryuzo Anzai, won their second championship with a two-game sweep of the Golden Kings in a best-of-three showdown in May 2022. In doing so, they joined the Alvark Tokyo (2017-18, 2018-19) as the only teams with two titles. (The championship round was switched from a single game to the current format the previous year.) Just like the Golden Kings, the Brex will be making their fourth appearance in the Finals. In 2021, the Chiba Jets topped Utsunomiya, handing the Brex their lone loss in the championship round. Game 1 of the series is on Saturday, May 24, at Yokohama Arena. Tipoff is 2:30 PM. On Sunday, Game 2 is slated to start at 1:10 PM, also at the same venue. If necessary, Yokohama Arena will also host a deciding Game 3 on Tuesday, May 27, with a 7:05 PM tipoff. Ryukyu Golden Kings coach Dai Oketani ( Two years after winning the Finals against Chiba, Ryukyu coach Dai Oketani has a chance to become the second bench boss in league history with two titles. Former Alvark sideline supervisor Luka Pavicevic became the first to do so. Another coaching distinction, one touched by tragedy, could occur in the championship series. Zico Coronel could become the first in-season coaching replacement to win a title. The New Zealander took over as acting head coach when Kevin Braswell was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack in January. Braswell died several weeks later at age 46 after undergoing heart surgery in a Tochigi Prefecture hospital. Brex coach Zico Coronel ( Since then, the Brex have displayed a framed photo of Braswell on the bench for every game. It's a touching dedication to their former leader. Golden Kings players congratulate one another after their double-overtime victory over the San-en NeoPhoenix in Game 2 of the semifinals on May 18 at Hamamatsu Arena. ( After winning the Western Conference title with a 46-14 record in the regular season, Ryukyu eliminated the Shimane Susanoo Magic in two games in the playoff quarterfinals (May 9-10). That set up a scintillating showdown with the Central Division champion San-en NeoPhoenix (47-12) in Hamamatsu with a berth in the title series up for grabs. Their longtime rivalry, which was spawned in an earlier era, has continued. Between them, the Golden Kings (four titles) and the three-time champion NeoPhoenix (formerly known as the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix) captured seven titles in the final eight seasons of the bj-league, a forerunner of the The NeoPhoenix opened the series with an 87-85 home win on Saturday, May 17. Ex-NBA player David Nwaba had a game-high 23 points for the hosts. Interestingly enough, after Ryukyu's Vic Law nailed a 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, neither team scored again. NeoPhoenix swingman David Nwaba shoots a jumper in Game 2. ( The Golden Kings then faced their biggest test to date this season ― needing a win in Game 2 to extend the semifinal series. Nobody said it would be easy. And it wasn't. Golden Kings big man Jack Cooley looks to score against the NeoPhoenix in Game 2. ( Ryukyu outlasted San-en 100-98 in double overtime on May 18 to force a Game 3. A play that will long live in Golden Kings lore ― a Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki putback at the buzzer ― sent the game into the first OT period. Ryukyu's Masahiro Waki in action against San-en in Game 2. ( The Golden Kings' big standouts in Game 2 were Jack Cooley (26 points, 16 rebounds, six steals), Law (23 points, seven rebounds, six assists), and Masahiro Waki (17 points), while Alex Kirk had seven of his 16 points in 20T. Nwaba paced the NeoPhoenix with 26 points. Ryukyu star Vic Law surveys his options during the series finale on May 19. ( On Monday, May 19, a day after Law logged a team-high 45:52 out of 50 minutes for Ryukyu and Nwaba played 46:36 for San-en, there was no rest for the weary. A trip to the Finals was at stake. Entering the second half, the Golden Kings led by the slimmest of margins, 43-42. Ryukyu's tough-as-nails defense was a big factor in the second half. The NeoPhoenix were held to 27 points and 10-for-33 shooting from the field the rest of the way, including 10 points in the fourth quarter. Law spearheaded the Golden Kings' winning effort with 30 points and 10 rebounds in a 77-69 triumph. Veteran playmaker Tatsuya Ito handed out a team-high five assists. Golden Kings playmaker Tatsuya Ito runs the offense in Game 3. ( Yante Maten led the NeoPhoenix with 27 points. After the final buzzer sounded, Law provided instant clarity about the grueling duel with San-en. "I feel that this was the hardest and toughest game I have played in since joining the said Law, who starred for Chiba (2022-23) before joining Ryukyu the following season. Coach Oketani commended his players for their spirited effort in the semifinals. "All three games were close and could have been won by either side," Oketani said at Hamamatsu Arena. "In the midst of all this, the players kept their feet on the ground and fought tenaciously until the very end. "Throughout the season, we have been conscious of continuing to do what we can do, and I think the trust that we have built up with the entire team came into play here." After winning the Eastern Conference with a league-best 48-12 record, Utsunomiya ousted the SeaHorses Mikawa in the quarterfinals (May 10-11). That set up a clash of East heavyweights in the semifinals: The Brex vs the Jets (42-18). Chiba entered the series as the league's hottest team, winning 11 straight games, including a two-game sweep by a combined 52 points over the Alvark in the first round. In Game 1, Utsunomiya cruised to an 82-67 victory on May 17. The big story was the Brex's 50 second-half points and the Jets' 33. Facing elimination on Sunday, Chiba bounced back with a 74-55 decision. In the blowout win, the Jets outscored the hosts 26-9 in the third quarter. Chiba's Christopher Smith was the high scorer (23 points) in Game 2. Only Grant Jerrett (12 points) and reigning MVP DJ Newbill (10) reached double figures for the Brex, who shot 22-for-63. Brex guard Makoto Hiejima drives on Jets forward Yuta Watanabe on May 19. ( The Brex jumped out to a 43-31 lead by halftime in the series finale on Monday, May 19. Utsunomiya seized momentum with a 30-point second period. It included a dynamic 12-point effort from Jerrett, who had an eight-game stint in the NBA in 2014-15, in his 8:42 of court time in the quarter. Coronel's squad maintained a 12-point advantage (61-49) heading into the final stanza. Jerrett provided a closing spark in the fourth quarter with nine more points. He finished with 27, including 5-for-5 from 3-point range, in his highest-scoring game since dropping 40 on the Levanga Hokkaido on March 2. Chiba's Christopher Smith ( Facing the daunting task of a double-digit comeback and their third game in as many days, Chiba fell short in the final stanza despite a 22-point effort in the last 10 minutes. Smith had 11 of his 22 points in the fourth. The Jets trailed 75-71 with 1:05 to play, and didn't score again. As a result, the final numbers on the scoreboard were the following: Utsunomiya 82, Chiba 71. Utsunomiya's Gavin Edwards ( In addition to Jerrett's banner performance, Brex veteran Gavin Edwards had 21 points, Newbill had 10, and Japanese teammates Atsuya Ogawa and Makoto Hiejima finished with eight and seven, respectively. In the postgame news conference, Coronel expressed relief and satisfaction that his team overcame the Jets. "I think you can see the respect our group had for Chiba when you see how pleased and happy we were when we finally secured the result," Coronel commented at Nikkan Arena Tochigi. Coronel cited Chiba's overall strength as a team and difficulty as an opponent. "It took everything we had," he said, "and we made some learnings today, which we applied, and we are very pleased to have another week to continue to get better and challenge ourselves to play even better basketball in Yokohama." Golden Kings big man Alex Kirk commands attention in the low post. ( On January 25, the Brex topped the Golden Kings 105-86 at Okinawa Arena. Jerrett had a double-double (20 points, 10 rebounds). In the teams' rematch the next day, Ryukyu salvaged a series split with a 97-88 triumph. Keve Aluma ignited the Golden Kings with 31 points. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
Japan Forward
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Chiba Jets Embrace Trust and Unselfish Play as Their Core Values
The Chiba Jets have won 11 consecutive games heading into the semifinals of the playoffs against the Utsunomiya Brex. Chiba Jets point guard Yuki Togashi runs the offense against the Alvark Tokyo in Game 2 of the playoff semifinals on May 11, 2025, at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo. (© Trusting your teammates and unselfish play are often hallmarks of successful pro sports franchises. The 2024-25 Chiba Jets, one of four teams still remaining in the playoffs, provide vivid examples of these qualities whenever they step onto the floor. During the regular season, the Jets won 42 of 60 games despite a rash of injuries to key players. For example, former NBA forward Yuta Watanabe only appeared in 35 games and big man John Mooney was limited to 43 games. Franchise cornerstone Yuki Togashi, who has played for the Jets since 2015, played in 50 matches. Missing three players as talented as this Jets trio for long stretches of the season could have had a profound negative impact on their win-loss record. Credit first-year bench boss Trevor Gleeson for his leadership and installing strategies that relied on the synergy and strength of teamwork, not individual play. Jets head coach Trevor Gleeson ( Chiba's 78-53 and 92-65 runaway wins over the rival Alvark Tokyo on May 10 and 11 at Ariake Coliseum provided much more than a handful of glimpses into the Jets' mastery of working together to accomplish a goal. And remember this: Togashi, a 31-year-old linchpin of the Jets' starting lineup for a decade, returned to action on May 3, the team's penultimate game of the regular season. Back on the court after missing a month of games due to a left ankle sprain, Togashi wasn't thrust into the starting lineup. Instead, he came off the bench against the Sendai 89ers on May 3 and 4, playing about 12 and 16 minutes, respectively. Yuki Togashi shoots a jumper against the Alvark in the playoff semifinals on May 11 at Ariake Coliseum. ( When the playoffs began, Gleeson maintained the same approach with Togashi, utilizing his experience and skills off the bench. And in Game 2 of the quarterfinals against the Alvark, Togashi, the team captain, delivered an 18-point performance. Most notably, he had an electrifying 16-point effort in the second quarter, knocking down 5 of 5 from 3-point range and helping carry the Jets to a 50-28 halftime lead. Togashi worked diligently with Chiba's medical staff to overcome his injury and be ready to compete before the playoffs began. He's also continued to work with them to strengthen his ankle. "Since the end of the regular season, the trainers and I have been taking good care of my injury so that I can recover as much as possible the next day," Togashi told reporters after Game 2. "And I think that led to my performance today." Teammates recognized that Togashi had the hot shooting hand ― just like the 9,300-plus spectators observed ― so they kept passing him the ball. Trevor Gleeson worked as an assistant coach for the NBA's Toronto Raptors (2021-23) and Milwaukee Bucks (2023-24). ( After the game, Gleeson, a five-time title-winning coach in the Australian NBL, spoke about the Jets' current 11-game winning streak. He also dissected the team's chief strengths at this stage of the season. "We're in this position because we play the right way," Gleeson said on Sunday. "The guys play defense and support each other and play unselfish on offense. We share the ball, find the open man and put trust in them, and it's a trust and belief in our system and each other that gives you that opportunity." Jets players talk during a break in the action in Game 2. ( The Jets face the Utsunomiya Brex in the semifinals, a best-of-three series, starting on Saturday, May 17 at Nikkan Arena Tochigi in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture. In this clash of Eastern Conference powerhouse squads, who have combined for three titles, both teams exemplify unselfish play. For instance, four Brex players scored in double figures during the regular season (led by DJ Newbill's 17.1 points per game). Similarly, the Jets had five players scoring 10 or more points a game: Christopher Smith (17.0), DJ Hogg (16.2), Togashi (13.9), Watanabe (13.3) and Mooney (12.0). Gaudy individual statistics are not a priority, Gleeson insisted. Throughout his travels as a coach, starting in the early 1990s in his native Australia, Gleeson has closely followed what works to sustain excellence and compete for titles. Jets rookie Riku Segawa ( And that includes Togashi coming off the bench and rookie point guard Riku Segawa, 18, getting the starting assignment in both games against the Alvark. Gleeson described it as "just a good team rhythm at the moment." The former NBA assistant coach then commended Togashi for not letting his ego interfere with the team's chief goal: winning a title. "I've got to get Yuki to accept that role," Gleeson said of being a backup, "and not be, 'I want to start, I want these minutes.' " He added, "That's very unselfish and just reflects the team attitude ― that the team comes first." Chiba star Christopher Smith in action against Tokyo in Game 2. ( The Jets haven't lost since a 70-68 setback against the Sunrockers Shibuya on April 12. Since then, Chiba has developed into a more cohesive team. Despite that loss, Gleeson pointed out that "it just had a good feel within the group. They started trusting each other and being in the right spots and being patient, and you can see that on the court." He continued: "It doesn't matter what five guys are on the floor, they are supporting each other. And it's a beautiful thing when that happens. It's great to see." Further commenting on past observations and experiences that Gleeson draws upon to put his stamp on the Jets, he shared additional examples of recurring themes over the years. "There's some traits that success brings when you're trusting each other," he told the news conference, responding to my inquiry. Trevor Gleeson's team went 42-18 in the regular season. ( About Game 2, he mentioned that eight Jets players contributed to the team's total of 19 assists. Indeed, an impressive across-the-board effort. "That's a team that's not scared of passing the ball to the extra man," said Gleeson. "And that's something you build up in practice and during the games. You can't be selective if maybe it's a non-shooter. You've got to trust your teammates. "Look, I've been on teams that don't do that, and I've been on teams that do do that. And I know which one wins, so that's really important for us to keep believing in each other and playing together." Jets center John Mooney passes the ball as Alvark big man Sebastian Saiz looks on. ( Togashi missed his only shot in the first quarter in Game 2 against Tokyo. He later admitted that the shot didn't have a good feel to it. And remember, Togashi, the all-time leader in 3-pointers (1,177), is a player who's attempted thousands of shots in his pro career. He's an authority on the nuances of his offensive game. So when he lit up the scoreboard in the second quarter of the Jets' series-clinching win, that earlier missed attempt proved important. "After that shot, I felt more confident, and I was relieved," Togashi told reporters. He added, "After that, I was able to shoot in a real rhythm." For the Chiba Jets, Togashi as an offensive catalyst is an integral part of their overall success, which is built on a foundation of trust and unselfish play. Yuki Togashi salutes the crowd after the Jets' series-clinching win against the Alvark. ( Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
