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.
BASKETBALL
May 4, 2015
Hannaryz cruise past Five Arrows to reach Western semis
The Kyoto Hannaryz took their first step toward securing a fourth consecutive trip to the Final Four.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 4, 2015
Big Bulls extinguish Firebonds to reach next round
An abundance of highlight reel plays raised the excitement level for the already ecstatic home fans.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 3, 2015
Big Bulls trample Firebonds to advance to Eastern Conference semis
An abundance of highlight reel plays raised the excitement level for the already ecstatic home fans.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 2, 2015
Big Bulls dismantle Firebonds in playoff opener
Aggressive. Alert. Attentive.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS / OLYMPIC NOTEBOOK
May 2, 2015
Vizer's attack may be costly
Playing political hardball with the IOC is not a winning proposition.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Apr 30, 2015
Sendai's Johnson named MVP; Kyoto's Hamaguchi nabs coaching award
Since he made his debut in the fall, star guard Kejuan Johnson has excelled for the Sendai 89ers, leading the team to its best-ever regular season (37-15).
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Apr 30, 2015
Sixteen teams ready to battle for title in expanded playoffs
The playoff format was expanded to 16 teams for the bj-league's 10th season.
BASKETBALL
Apr 28, 2015
Ex-Apache assistant Hill wins title
In a season of great achievement for the Golden State Warriors organization, add this one to the list: Former Tokyo Apache assistant coach Casey Hill guided the Santa Cruz Warriors to the team's first-ever NBA Development League championship on Sunday.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Apr 26, 2015
Hannaryz close out regular season with bj-league's best-ever win mark
Their ultimate goal remains in front of them, but the Kyoto Hannaryz set a league record for regular-season victories on Sunday in their final game before the playoffs and finished in first place in the Western Conference for the first time in franchise history.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Apr 25, 2015
Fukushima earns playoff berth as first-year franchise
In the penultimate game of their inaugural season, the Fukushima Firebonds clinched a playoff spot on Saturday.
BASKETBALL
Apr 24, 2015
Takamatsu torches Fukuoka in series opener
The Takamatsu Five Arrows shot a sizzling 57.9 percent from 3-point range and Dexter Lyons flirted with a triple-double in a 102-86 victory over the Rizing Fukuoka on Friday night.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Apr 24, 2015
GW's Watanabe to visit White House, meet Prime Minister Abe
George Washington University basketball player Yuta Watanabe will visit the White House on Tuesday, and the Kagawa Prefecture native will greet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe there, according to a news release issued this week by the university’s athletic department.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Apr 23, 2015
Race for playoffs going down to wire
If the past 10 games are a key measuring stick for playoff-bound teams' chances in the postseason — and those still in the hunt to secure the East's seventh and eighth spots (Shinshu and Fukushima are both 19-31 and Gunma is 18-32 entering the final weekend) — keep an eye on these five teams:...
BASKETBALL
Apr 21, 2015
Former Olympic basketball player Kaiho dies at 73
Nobuo Kaiho, a guard on Japan's men's basketball team at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, has died at age 73.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Apr 19, 2015
Ryukyu cruises past Nara
For the Ryukyu Golden Kings, 40-win seasons are expected — championships, too.
BASKETBALL
Apr 18, 2015
Akita beats Iwate, ties rival for top record in East
In a clash of Eastern Conference heavyweights, the Akita Northern Happinets delivered a stellar effort in the opening quarter and maintained their poise throughout the game in a 67-58 win over the visiting Iwate Big Bulls.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Apr 18, 2015
Gunma's Ely reflects on NBA odyssey
Far from the bright lights and frenzied crowds at state-of-the-art NBA arenas, Melvin Ely plies his craft with determination and dedication half a world away.
BASKETBALL
Apr 17, 2015
Hannaryz run away from Cinq Reves
The Kyoto Hannaryz turned a close game into a rout in the second quarter.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Apr 16, 2015
Balance, team defense are powering Niigata
The Niigata Albirex BB don't have a player in the league's top 10 in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals or blocks.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Apr 12, 2015
Title-chasing Kyoto reaches 40 victories for first time in franchise history
Weeks ago, the Kyoto Hannaryz set a team record for regular-season triumphs with win No. 35.

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