The brand-new NBA season is set to tip-off this week, and in the W, it looks like Gabby Williams and the recent expansion pack of Natalie Nakase’s Golden State Valkyries are about to wrap up a historic 30th anniversary WNBA season.
Unless Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream can put a stop to all that.
Here in Japan, the 2026/2027 campaign is already on the run, like a fast break. Following a summer of 3×3, street hoops and NBA affiliated events with Canadian Denver Nuggets champion Jamal Murray.
Tokyo and Nike even had a special screening of ‘Space Jam’ for an outdoor cinema, complete with court. Mere weeks after legends Dwight Howard, Mitch Richmond and Deron Williams came to town to showcase their skills.
And that’s all before we get into all that Japanese players are doing for Canada’s neighbours. From Mai Yamamoto becoming a fan favourite in Sin City, playing alongside now five-time MVP A’ja Wilson for the Las Vegas Aces, who came up snake eyes when it came to this years ‘chip. To Rui Hachimura almost making training camp history with the Clippers and fellow countryman Yuki Kawamura before the cut.
We can see Kawamura being picked-up by another NBA team, but if not, will Yuki follow Yuta Watanabe to more job security back in the B-League? The B-Corsairs in Yokohama are waiting for their legend.
The big B-League in Japan also got into the summer 3×3 action that is becoming hugely popular in the land of the rising sun. Sending min-versions of their own teams to Shinagawa for a bragging rights contest. But now vacation time is over and it’s back to regular scheduled programming work, who will be victorious in the real deal of Japanese basketball?
The smart yen (but we aren’t betting men over here) would be on former NBA standout Yuta Watanabe and his dominant Chiba Jets franchise. Although it is the Nagasaki Velca who are the reigning champions, beating previous one, the Ryukyu Golden Kings, for their first championship.
In neighbouring Tokyo (this writer is based in Yokohama, so I guess that makes me a B-Corsairs fan), the Toyota powered Alvark are ready to stake their claim to contention. The red and black team, with the Rook of a cute and cuddly teddy bear of a mascot, certainly look the part in slick black, white (and sometimes Toyota red) undeniable uniforms and a state-of-the-art arena. Not to mention the Adidas Sports Park, a colourful court made of old recycled sneakers, that plays next to it.
An absolutely amazing arena and atmosphere, the terrific Toyota Arena, in Tokyo’s outstanding Odaiba, reminds us of when the Nets moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn, banking on a new home in the Barclays Centre. One that Detroit Piston Bad Boy, ‘Bad Boys’ franchise star and Chicago champion John Salley once told me looked like “a spaceship has landed” in Brooklyn.
The Toyota Arena gives you a similar feeling. Matching the aesthetic, with a Toronto Raptors Scotiabank Arena twist, complete with high-end and quality eateries and drinking spots to take in the game. As you enter the stadium you are greeted by an open look at the classy court and the opportunity to take some pictures and act like you have some better seats. Although Instagram has nothing on the truth your bleeding nose will tell.
All this quality and fanfare introduction leads the cheers. But it’s backed up by some quality basketball that knows how to hit the floor, too. In this very October contest, Tokyo’s own Alvark defeated the Akita Northern Happinets in what began as a blowout, but turned into a close contest in the third act.
Alvark Tokyo happened to beat the Happinets 90-74 thanks to the happiness of a new star. Their recent addition DeJon Jarreau, who most recently played in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after his double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. Number 77 was balling like Luka with the way he drove the lane like a Toyota and brought even more NBA pedigree to an arena that looked the same. What a way to mark his home debut in his new Japanese one.
Kyonte Johnson was the high-man for the Alvark, mind you, with 27 points. Big Ryan Rossiter also grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds to go along with four assists (Jarreau dealt two). For the Happinets, Mark Smith, looking like ‘Comeback Season’ era Drake with the Jalen Brunson celebration, had 27 and Yanni, 19, but it wasn’t enough to mount Akita’s own comeback.
Next up, Tokyo hopes to extend their winning streak to a seventh seal against the Ibaraki Robots as they continue their homestand, later this week.
Recently it was announced that the Tokyo Alvark will now share their Toyota Arena home with neighbouring team, the Tokyo Sunrockers, featuring American-born, Japanese national team player Josh Hawkinson, and, at one-time, former Los Angeles Laker player Ryan Kelly.
Just like they once did with the Jets, until Watanabe’s team moved into their own future forward, closer to Chiba, new home.
A great move by the league for competitive rivalry, but for the Alvark, let’s see. This is the year that Tokyo’s team shows you that this is still their house.
Not mine, yours, or anyone else’s.
