author

 
 
Ed Odeven
Ed Odeven covers primarily basketball for The Japan Times. He reported on a wide range of sports from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Summer Games for this newspaper. A native of the Bronx, N.Y., Odeven is a graduate of Arizona State University. He previously worked for the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff, Ariz., reporting on high school, collegiate, professional and Olympic sports (Flagstaff is a major international Olympic training site due to its high elevation) and writing a weekly column. His articles have appeared in Venezuela Online News, The Gleaner (Jamaica), the Monitor (Uganda), The Moscow Times, Swimming World Magazine and numerous other publications.
MORE SPORTS
Nov 17, 2007
Noguchi eyes breakthrough performance in return
More than three years have passed since the most significant day in Mizuki Noguchi's life.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Nov 16, 2007
Evessa, Apache to clash in battle of unbeatens
Chalk up an assist for the schedule makers. They've provided us with an early season treat this weekend: Osaka Evessa vs. Tokyo Apache, teams sitting atop their respective conferences in the bj-league.
BASKETBALL
Nov 14, 2007
Newton receives weekly accolade
Osaka Evessa center Jeff Newton helped his team win back-to-back games over the Takamatsu Five Arrows last weekend, scoring 32 points in the series opener on Saturday and 23 more in Sunday's rematch.
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Nov 14, 2007
Referees making most of chance to call bj-league games
Twenty guys comprise the most important team in the bj-league, but you'll only see three of them on the same court at the same time.
BASKETBALL
Nov 11, 2007
Newton sparks unbeaten Evessa
Center Jeff Newton scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the host Osaka Evessa to an 88-76 victory over the Takamatsu Five Arrows in their home opener.
BASKETBALL / ONE-ON-ONE WITH ...
Nov 10, 2007
Bryant looking to make mark on defense with Apache
The Japan Times will be featuring periodic interviews with players in the bj-league — Japan's first professional basketball circuit — which began its third season last week. Trevon Bryant of the Tokyo Apache is the subject of this week's profile.
BASKETBALL
Nov 10, 2007
Aoki sparks Apache past 89ers
Cohey Aoki made a dazzling return to the starting lineup on Friday night, scoring a game-high 30 points to lead the Tokyo Apache to a 103-84 victory over the host Sendai 89ers.
BASKETBALL
Nov 9, 2007
U.S. company, bj-league ink deal
During its young history, the bj-league has taken big, bold steps to become a successful professional organization, including an aggressive expansion plan as the main tool for nationwide exposure.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Nov 9, 2007
Defense an integral part of Maki's game, no matter the sport
Darin Satoshi Maki made his mark in Sunday's win over the Saitama Broncos on the defensive end.
BASKETBALL
Nov 8, 2007
Davis earns bj-league honor
Center Nick Davis, playing his first regular-season games for the Tokyo Apache, scored 25 points in both of the team's victories last weekend over the Saitama Broncos.
BASKETBALL
Nov 5, 2007
Apache survive Broncos' late charge
The Tokyo Apache survived the Saitama Broncos' ferocious fourth-quarter comeback and wrapped up the season-opening weekend with a 90-86 victory on Sunday afternoon at Ariake Colosseum.
BASKETBALL
Nov 4, 2007
Palmer, Ashby drafted in NBADL
Forward David Palmer, the 2006-07 bj-league MVP, was selected 13th in the second round in the 2007 NBA Development League Draft on Friday. The ex-Osaka Evessa standout, a former Southern Utah University player, was the 26th overall pick. In the fifth round, ex-Takamatsu Five Arrows center Julius Ashby,...
BASKETBALL
Nov 4, 2007
Apache open season with victory
The Tokyo Apache opened their 2007-08 campaign with an 84-65 victory over the visiting Saitama Broncos on Saturday afternoon at Ariake Colosseum.
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Nov 4, 2007
New Broncos coach Benoit is eager to guide basketball team to successful season
TOKOROZAWA, Saitama Pref. — A big smile flashes across David Benoit's face as he takes a break from running the Saitama Broncos' evening practice.
BASKETBALL
Nov 3, 2007
89ers top Grouses, improve to 2-0
The Sendai 89ers defeated the host Toyama Grouses 100-87 in bj-league action on Friday night. Newcomers Nick DeWitz and Bobby St. Preux both scored 28 points for the 89ers, who opened their season with a 77-74 win over Toyama on Thursday. Sendai center Patrick Whearty had 19 points and 12 rebounds,...
BASKETBALL
Nov 3, 2007
Two-time champion Evessa, Five Arrows anchor Western Conference power base
The 2007-08 bj-league season tipped off on Tuesday night. It was the first game for the expansion Rizing Fukuoka. A crowd of 2,475 watched the Osaka Evessa post a 91-71 victory.
BASKETBALL
Nov 2, 2007
With key players moving, Eastern Conference wide open as bj-league tips off
The nights are getting cooler, the days are growing shorter and professional basketball competition is heating up around Japan.
BASKETBALL
Oct 31, 2007
Evessa crush Rizing in season-opening game
Playing with the swagger and productivity of a champion, the Osaka Evessa routed the Rizing Fukuoka 91-71 on Tuesday night in the bj-league's third season opener.
BASKETBALL
Oct 30, 2007
Neumann eager to build winning team in Fukuoka
Building a professional basketball team from scratch requires patience, energy and a never-wavering commitment to promoting the product in nearby communities.
BASKETBALL
Oct 30, 2007
Mighty Osaka Evessa in the mood for a three-peat
The Osaka Evessa are a proud, confident basketball team. And they've clearly earned this distinction.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?