Yu Yoshimoto (born November 10, 1982) is a Japanese former professional basketball player who played for the Akita…Yu Yoshimoto (born November 10, 1982) is a Japanese former professional basketball player who played for the Akita Northern Happinets of the bj league in Japan. He currently teaches amateurs at the Happinets organization. He also plays for the Mitane Taikyo Kotooka of Noshiro Yamamoto Basketball Association.
Yuko Oga (大神 雄子, Ōga Yūko; born October 17, 1982 in Yamagata city) is a Japanese basketball coach and former…Yuko Oga (大神 雄子, Ōga Yūko; born October 17, 1982 in Yamagata city) is a Japanese basketball coach and former professional basketball player who is the head coach for the Toyota Antelopes of the Women's Japan Basketball League (WJBL). A point guard, Oga played for the JX Sunflowers in the Women's Japan Basketball League and the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. In 2023, she was inducted into the FIBA basketball Hall of Fame. Her nickname is Shin.
Takaki Ishida (石田剛規, Ishida Takaki) is a Japanese basketball coach who is the head coach for the Yokohama Excellence of…Takaki Ishida (石田剛規, Ishida Takaki) is a Japanese basketball coach who is the head coach for the Yokohama Excellence of the B.League. He played college basketball for Keio University. He was selected by the Chiba Jets with the 4th overall pick in the 2011 bj League draft.
Takuma Ito (伊藤 拓摩, Itō Takuma) is the general manager of the Nagasaki Velca in the Japanese B.League. Ito is the former…Takuma Ito (伊藤 拓摩, Itō Takuma) is the general manager of the Nagasaki Velca in the Japanese B.League. Ito is the former head coach of the Alvark Tokyo and the Nagasaki Velca.
Kenzo Maeda (前田 顕蔵, Maeda Kenzō; born June 27, 1982) is a professional basketball coach who currently serves as a head…Kenzo Maeda (前田 顕蔵, Maeda Kenzō; born June 27, 1982) is a professional basketball coach who currently serves as a head coach for Chinese Taipei women's national basketball team in Taiwan and the former bench boss for the Takamatsu Five Arrows of the bj league. He also served as a support coach/translator for the Japan national basketball team. In April 2026, Maeda was named head coach of the Taiwan women's national basketball team.
Taizo Kawabe (川辺泰三, Kawabe Taizou) is the head coach of the Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the Japanese B.League. He…Taizo Kawabe (川辺泰三, Kawabe Taizou) is the head coach of the Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for Konan University. Kawabe was drafted second overall by the Kyoto Hannaryz in the 2009 bj league draft.
Masashi Joho (城宝匡史, Jōhō Masashi; born April 24, 1982) is a retired Japanese professional basketball player who played…Masashi Joho (城宝匡史, Jōhō Masashi; born April 24, 1982) is a retired Japanese professional basketball player who played for the Ehime Orange Vikings of the B.League in Japan. He is the first and only Japanese bj leaguer that acquired the regular season MVP award.
Hiroki Sato (佐藤博紀, Sato Hiroki) is a Japanese professional basketball executive and former player, currently serving as…Hiroki Sato (佐藤博紀, Sato Hiroki) is a Japanese professional basketball executive and former player, currently serving as the general manager of the Chiba Jets Funabashi of the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for Juntendo University. He was selected by the Oita Heat Devils with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 bj League draft. Sato's jersey number has been retired by the Jets.
Shinsuke Kashiwagi (柏木 真介、born December 22, 1981) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He plays for the…Shinsuke Kashiwagi (柏木 真介、born December 22, 1981) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He plays for the SeaHorses Mikawa of the B.League. Kashiwagi was a member of the Japan national basketball team. He played for the team in the 2006 FIBA World Championship and the FIBA Asia Championship 2007 and FIBA Asia Championship 2009. In the 2009-10 season, Kashiwagi entered the month-long winter break averaging 13.7 points and 3.5 assists per game for the Seahorses. He was named to the West squad for the 2009-10 JBL Super League All-Star game.
Hirotaka Sato (佐藤 浩貴, Satō Hirotaka; born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player for…Hirotaka Sato (佐藤 浩貴, Satō Hirotaka; born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player for Kanazawa Samuraiz of the B.League in Japan. He played college basketball for Senshu University. He was selected by the Osaka Evessa with the 4th overall pick in the 2006 bj League draft.
Ryosuke Mizumachi (水町 亮介, Mizumachi Ryōsuke; born September 10, 1981) is a former Japanese professional basketball…Ryosuke Mizumachi (水町 亮介, Mizumachi Ryōsuke; born September 10, 1981) is a former Japanese professional basketball player who played for the Akita Northern Happinets of the B.League in Japan. Mizumachi was born in Imari, Saga Prefecture, Japan and started playing basketball while in elementary school. After graduating from Gakushuin University in 2004 he decided to enter professional basketball, against his parents' wishes. He joined a team below Niigata Albirex BB's organization. In 2005 he was drafted by the Oita Heat Devils in the seventh round (26th overall) of the 2005 bj league draft. During three seasons with Oita he was named as a deputy captain, but was released at the end of the 2007-08 season. He was then signed by Niigata and spent two seasons with their bj league team. In June 2010 Mizumachi was signed by the Happinets in the second round of the 2010 expansion draft and has served as captain throughout the club's seven seasons in the bj league. He was one of 12 players to participate in all eleven seasons of the bj league. He has remained with Akita following the team's entry into the B.League in September 2016, but has been replaced as captain by Shigehiro Taguchi. His nickname is "Macho". His retirement ceremony was held at the Akita Prefectural Gymnasium on April 3, 2019.
Daiji Yamada (山田 大治、born June 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. Yamada also was a long-time…Daiji Yamada (山田 大治、born June 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. Yamada also was a long-time member of the Japan national basketball team, playing for the team in the 2006 FIBA World Championship and both the FIBA Asia Championship 2007 and FIBA Asia Championship 2009. He made his debut for the national team in 1999 at the FIBA World Championship for Junior Men Yamada averaged 7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game for the host Japanese at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. In his most recent national team appearance, Yamada averaged 10 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Japanese at the FIBA Asia Championship 2009 tournament. Despite his performance, Japan stumbled to a disappointing tenth place finish, its worst ever performance in 24 FIBA Asia Championship appearances. Yamada played professionally with Hokkaido in the JBL Super League. In the 2009-10 season, Yamada entered the month-long winter break averaging 14 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for the Alvark.
Shogo Asayama (朝山 正悟, Asayama Shōgo) is a Japanese who became the head coach and was a professional basketball player…Shogo Asayama (朝山 正悟, Asayama Shōgo) is a Japanese who became the head coach and was a professional basketball player of the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japanese B.League.
Kenichi Takahashi (高橋 憲一, Takahashi Ken'ichi; born December 22, 1980), nicknamed Shocho, is a former Japanese…Kenichi Takahashi (高橋 憲一, Takahashi Ken'ichi; born December 22, 1980), nicknamed Shocho, is a former Japanese professional basketball player and served for Akita Northern Happinets of the B.League as the ambassador. Takahashi is currently the instructor for Toreiku Katagami. He was selected by the Sendai 89ers with the third overall pick in the 2006 bj League draft. He has played for the four Tohoku clubs of the bj league. In October 2015 he became a one-day honorary police chief at the Akita Higashi Police Station. Since then a police officer salute has become popular among Akita's boosters. Takahashi studies NBA to improve his game, and he is an Air Jordan collector. His retirement memorial game was held at Akita Prefectural Gymnasium on October 29, 2017.
Kohei Aoki (born December 13, 1980), nicknamed Cohey, is a Japanese former professional basketball player who last…Kohei Aoki (born December 13, 1980), nicknamed Cohey, is a Japanese former professional basketball player who last played for Rizing Fukuoka of the bj League in Japan. He played college basketball for Senshu University.
Masami Tachikawa (立川真紗美, born 16 November 1980) is a Japanese basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer…Masami Tachikawa (立川真紗美, born 16 November 1980) is a Japanese basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Ryuzo Anzai (安齋竜三, Anzai Ryūzō; born November 10, 1980) is a Japanese professional basketball coach and former player…Ryuzo Anzai (安齋竜三, Anzai Ryūzō; born November 10, 1980) is a Japanese professional basketball coach and former player, who is the head coach for the Koshigaya Alphas of the B.League. He played college basketball for Takushoku University. He was selected by the Saitama Broncos with the second overall pick in the 2005 bj League draft.
Yuta Tabuse (田臥 勇太, Tabuse Yūta; born October 5, 1980) is a Japanese professional basketball player for Utsunomiya Brex…Yuta Tabuse (田臥 勇太, Tabuse Yūta; born October 5, 1980) is a Japanese professional basketball player for Utsunomiya Brex of the B.League. A point guard, Tabuse is 1.75 metres (5 ft 9 in) and 75 kilograms (165 lb). He was the first Japanese-born player to appear in a National Basketball Association (NBA) game. Tabuse has enjoyed popularity in Japan since his high school playing days, when he led his school to three straight national championships, and has been referred to as "the Michael Jordan of Japan" for his celebrity status.
Tomoo Amino (網野 友雄, Amino Tomoo; born September 25, 1980) is a former Japanese professional basketball player. He…Tomoo Amino (網野 友雄, Amino Tomoo; born September 25, 1980) is a former Japanese professional basketball player. He played for the Aisin Seahorses of the JBL Super League. Amino also was a member of the Japan national basketball team. He played for the team in the 2006 FIBA World Championship and the FIBA Asia Championship 2007 and FIBA Asia Championship 2009. Amino played professionally with the Aisin Seahorses of the JBL Super League. In the 2009-10 season, Amino entered the month-long winter break averaging 4.5 points per game for the Seahorses. Despite this, the popular Amino was voted by fans as a starter to the West squad for the 2009-10 JBL Super League All-Star game.
Mari Konno (紺野 麻里, Konno Mari; born 18 May 1980) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer…Mari Konno (紺野 麻里, Konno Mari; born 18 May 1980) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Kei Igarashi (五十嵐 圭、born May 7, 1980 in Jōetsu, Niigata, Japan) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He plays…Kei Igarashi (五十嵐 圭、born May 7, 1980 in Jōetsu, Niigata, Japan) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He plays for the Gunma Crane Thunders of the B.League. He also was a member of the Japan national basketball team, playing for the team in the 2006 FIBA World Championship and both the FIBA Asia Championship 2007 and FIBA Asia Championship 2009. Igarashi averaged 9 points and 3 assists per game for the host Japanese at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. Igarashi scored a team-high 18 points and added three assists in Japan's lone win at the tournament, a 78-61 preliminary round victory over Panama. In his most recent, national team appearance, Igarashi had a team-leading 3.6 assists per game, good for third best overall in the tournament. Despite his performance, Japan stumbled to a disappointing tenth-place finish, its worst ever performance in 24 FIBA Asia Championship appearances. In the 2009-10 season, he entered the month-long winter break averaging 9.3 points and 2.9 assists per game for the Alvark. The popular Igarashi was also named to the JBL All-Star Game as the leading point guard vote-getter for the East.
Hirokazu Nema (根間洋一, Nema Hirokazu) is a Japanese basketball coach and former player. He is currently the U15 coach of…Hirokazu Nema (根間洋一, Nema Hirokazu) is a Japanese basketball coach and former player. He is currently the U15 coach of the Shiga Lakestars in the Japanese B.League.
Yoshimune Sano (born Yoshimune Kato, April 30, 1979) is a Japanese former professional basketball player who played for…Yoshimune Sano (born Yoshimune Kato, April 30, 1979) is a Japanese former professional basketball player who played for the Akita Northern Happinets of the bj League in Japan. He played college basketball for Nihon University.
Hiromi Kawabata (川畑宏美, born 23 March 1979) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer…Hiromi Kawabata (川畑宏美, born 23 March 1979) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Maki Eguchi (江口真紀, born 14 October 1978) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer…Maki Eguchi (江口真紀, born 14 October 1978) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Atsushi Kanazawa (金澤篤志, Kanazawa Atsushi) is the former head coach of the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka in the Japanese…Atsushi Kanazawa (金澤篤志, Kanazawa Atsushi) is the former head coach of the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka in the Japanese B.League.
Naomi Yashiro (矢代直美, born 30 December 1977) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer…Naomi Yashiro (矢代直美, born 30 December 1977) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. She has been working as a cabin crew at the Japan Airlines and joined its team JAL Rabbits.
Natsumi Yabuuchi (薮内夏美, born 21 July 1977) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer…Natsumi Yabuuchi (薮内夏美, born 21 July 1977) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Born: Jul 21, 1977 in Osaka Height: 175 cm / 5.7 feet Positions: Point Guard Previous teams : Japan (W) ()
Keishi Handa (半田圭史, Handa Keishi; born July 1, 1977) is a former basketball player for Hitachi SunRockers and Toyota…Keishi Handa (半田圭史, Handa Keishi; born July 1, 1977) is a former basketball player for Hitachi SunRockers and Toyota Alvark in Japan.
Yukinori Suzuki (鈴木裕紀, Suzuki Yukinori) is a Japanese professional basketball coach and former player, currently…Yukinori Suzuki (鈴木裕紀, Suzuki Yukinori) is a Japanese professional basketball coach and former player, currently serving as the head coach for the Iwate Big Bulls of the B.League. Prior to Iwate, he coached the Shimane Susanoo Magic. Suzuki played college basketball for Nippon Sport Science University. He was selected by the Oita Heat Devils with the 10th pick in the 2005 bj league draft.
Mutsuko Nagata (永田睦子, born 16 September 1976) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 1996 Summer…Mutsuko Nagata (永田睦子, born 16 September 1976) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Akemi Okazato (born 24 July 1974) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1996…Akemi Okazato (born 24 July 1974) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Taeko Oyama (大山妙子, born 18 June 1974) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics…Taeko Oyama (大山妙子, born 18 June 1974) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
