Australian basketball an early headline in Japanese B. League

The Japanese B. League season is now two months old. To celebrate, lets check in with Aussies and former imports to see who may be in contention to take away some silverware.

Photo credit: Nagoya Diamond Dolphins

The influence of Australian basketball has been huge in the first third of the Japanese B. League season. Whether it’s an Aussie player, coach or former NBL import, the imprint of Aussie hoops is rife throughout the league.

Coaches Trevor Gleeson and Shawn Dennis went toe-to-toe moving the magnets over the weekend. Gleeson’s Chiba Jets hosted Dennis’ Nagoya Diamond Dolphins in two bouts. The Jets entered the weekend at 15-3, one game behind the Dolphins at 16-2.

Gleeson and Dennis have their teams playing similar styles. The Dolphins are first in the league for rebounds with the Jets second. For blocks they’re first and second again but Chiba take the lead there. Both teams run a high octane offence as the Dolphins lead the league again for field goal attempts while the Jets sit in sixth.