Japan B.League has been a home for Filipino talent for quite some time now. But how are our guys over there doing today?
Since 2020, the Japan B.League has been welcoming top Filipino basketball players into their competition, starting with former Ateneo star Thirdy Ravena. Over the next four years, more Filipino talents would follow, being signed as “Asian Quota” players, which is basically an Asian import.
While Filipino players have come and gone in the B.League, a good number of players still remain. As we head into the 2024-2025 season, let’s check in on our kababayans in Japan’s top-flight basketball league, wherein most have joined new teams for their latest chapters.
Kai Sotto, Koshigaya Alphas
After a redemption season with the Yokohama B-Corsairs, Kai Sotto has joined the Koshigaya Alphas currently in the B2.League. Here, he’ll have a veteran point guard in Shun Matsuyama, as well as big men Gary Hamilton and Justin Harper, who can be willing mentors for the 7 footer.
In his stint with Yokohama, Sotto averaged 12.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. His high points included his career-high 28 points against Alvark Tokyo, as well as a double-digit streak just last March.
Kiefer Ravena, Yokohama B-Corsairs
Fresh off a B2.League championship with the Shiga Lakestars, Kiefer Ravena is taking his talents to Yokohama for the 2024-2025 B.League season. In his last campaign with the Lakestars, the elder Ravena averaged 12.4 points, to go along with 5.5 assists, remaining as one of the B.League’s best playmakers. In their championship run, he proceeded to average 19 points and six assists as the Lakestars completed their B1.League comeback.
Dwight Ramos Levanga Hokkaido
Unlike most of his peers, Dwight Ramos is staying put with the Levanga Hokkaido, signing a contract extension for the upcoming B.League season. Like his national team stints, Ramos is your fundamentally sound contributor as he enters another season in Japan’s top-flight basketball league.
For the 2023-2024 season, Ramos averaged a career-high 10.7 points per game, accompanied by 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. On top of that, he also became the third Filipino to breach the 1,000 point mark, and was named captain of the 2024 B.League Asia All-Stars.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Osaka Evessa
A do-it-all guard in Japan, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. will now be with Osaka Evessa for his fourth B.League season. An off-the-bench sparkplug in Nagoya, Parks posted 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 53 games played, with 30 coming off the bench.
Despite his bench role, Parks Jr. became the fourth Filipino to reach 1,000 B. League career points–just a week after Dwight Ramos did so. Besides that, he was also one of the 2024 Asia All-Stars.
AJ Edu, Nagasaki Velca
Gilas big AJ Edu continues his torn meniscus recovery. From showing his potential with the Toyama Grouses, the Fil-Cypriot will now make his comeback with the Nagasaki Velca, who made a return to the B1. League last season.
In 14 games played with Toyama, Edu normed 13.1 points per game, 8.9 rebounds, and a steal in 29.2 minutes played. Within this limited sample size, Edu was able to set a career-high 19 points, to go along with 15 rebounds before going down due to injury.
Matthew Wright, Kawasaki Brave Thunders
After a productive season with Kyoto Hannaryz, Matthew Wright now joins the Kawasaki Brave Thunders, one of Japan’s oldest ballclubs and a perennial B.League contender. Given Wright’s quality of play, he’ll likely be a key contributor as Kawasaki looks to book a postseason ticket after missing out last season.
In his last season with Kyoto, Wright averaged 13.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 26.9 minutes and 53 games played. On top of that, Wright also became the first Filipino to score 30 points, and was the fastest to reach the 1,000-point mark among his peers.
Roosevelt Adams, Yamagata Wyverns
Like Saint Dwight, former PBA lottery pick Roosevelt Adams is staying put with the Yamagata Wyverns for the 2024-2025 season, his third in the B.League. With averages of 8.2 points and 5.0 rebounds last season, Adams will continue to aid the Wyverns in their quest to make the B1.League.
Matthew Aquino, Gunma Crane Thunders
Matthew Aquino will continue to find his stride in Japan with perennial contenders in the Gunma Crane Thunders. For the 2023-2024 season, the second-generation big’s averages are as follows: 2.3 points per game and 1.5 rebounds in 7.3 minutes played per game with the Shinshu Brave Warriors.
James Spencer, Earthfriends TokyoZ
Former UP stalwart James Spencer is the newest Filipino import in the B.League, joining the Earthfriends Tokyo Z in the B3.League. Previously, Spencer spent three years in the Australian NBL1 , playing for the Dandenong Rangers, and most recently, the Keilor Thunder.
Banner Image from Kai Sotto on Instagram.
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