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.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
May 15, 2009
Kobe Bryant says series should decide title
A veteran coach, a voice of reason, a passionate advocate for a better and stronger bj-league, Tokyo Apache floor boss Joe Bryant has plenty of suggestions on how to improve the hoop circuit in the future.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 11, 2009
Apache edge 89ers, make Eastern Conference final
Inside muscle and all-out hustle propelled the Tokyo Apache to a 79-78 triumph over the Sendai 89ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday at Ariake Colosseum.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 10, 2009
Apache run past 89ers in Game 1
Since losing in the bj-league championship game last May to the Osaka Evessa, the Tokyo Apache have had one clear mission: earning a return ticket to the final.
BASKETBALL
May 10, 2009
HeatDevils hoping to live to see fifth season
The Oita HeatDevils endured an 8-44 regular season, the worst record in the bj-league this season. And now the team is looking to find a way to remain in business.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
May 8, 2009
Apache, 89ers ready to rumble at Ariake
Now that the bj-league's Western Conference finalists are set with the Osaka Evessa and the Ryukyu Golden Kings, the spotlight falls on a quartet of Eastern Conference squads this weekend.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 6, 2009
Benoit resigns after two seasons as Broncos coach
David Benoit has ended his tenure as the head coach of the Saitama Broncos, The Japan Times has learned.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 5, 2009
Much-improved Golden Kings set sights on bj-league coronation
A vastly different Ryukyu Golden Kings basketball team stepped onto the court this season than the one that suited up for the 2007-08 campaign as a bj-league expansion squad.
BASKETBALL
May 4, 2009
Evessa advance after mini-game tiebreaker
"Never underestimate the heart of a champion," were the words then-Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich used in 1995 to describe his resilient team, which was on the verge of winning its second straight NBA championship.
BASKETBALL
May 3, 2009
Unheralded players shine in Evessa win
New heroes emerge in the postseason.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
May 1, 2009
Three-time champ Evessa faces tough playoff series against Five Arrows
Who will be crowned the 2008-09 bj-league champion?
BASKETBALL
May 1, 2009
Ryukyu star Newton named 2008-09 MVP
As expected, Ryukyu Golden Kings center Jeff Newton is the 2008-09 bj-league MVP, it was announced on Thursday.
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
May 1, 2009
Playoff tiebreaker in bj-league becomes point of contention
Every sports league has a right to create its own set of rules. And it's only natural for a new league to face greater scrutiny for the way it operates than a league with a long established tradition, a way of doing things that won't change very easily.
BASKETBALL
Apr 30, 2009
Benoit fears for job as Broncos pick over bones of failed season
Losing their final five regular-season games, the Saitama Broncos stumbled to a 19-33 overall record and finished fifth in the bj-league's six-team Eastern Conference.
BASKETBALL
Apr 30, 2009
Nippon Tornadoes set to open first IBL season
International Basketball League's Nippon Tornadoes open their first season on Friday against the Vancouver Volcanoes at the O'Connell Sports Center in Vancouver, Wash. The Tornadoes will play 16 more games in a short summer season, wrapping up play on June 3 against the Oregon Waves.
BASKETBALL
Apr 27, 2009
Apache beat Broncos in regular season finale
After clinching home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs on Saturday, Tokyo Apache coach Joe Bryant opted to rest several key players on Sunday.
BASKETBALL
Apr 26, 2009
Apache wrap up No. 2 seed
The Tokyo Apache secured the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed for the upcoming bj-league playoffs by beating the Saitama Broncos 84-78 at Yoyogi National Gymnasium Annex on Saturday.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Apr 24, 2009
Top scorer Parker sidelined with injury
Michael Parker, the bj-league's leading scorer this season, will be sidelined for two to three weeks with a right knee injury, Rizing Fukuoka coach John Neumann said.
BASKETBALL
Apr 20, 2009
Washington sets tone for dominant Evessa
The three-time defending champion Osaka Evessa completed a weekend sweep on Sunday with an 88-83 home triumph over the Takamatsu Five Arrows.
BASKETBALL
Apr 19, 2009
Apache manhandle rival 89ers on road
For whatever reason, the Tokyo Apache have had the Sendai 89ers' number this season.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Apr 19, 2009
A plea to address pro basketball's future in Japan
Dear Prime Minister Aso,

Longform

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