Power forward Lynn Washington was instrumental in leading the Osaka Evessa to the bj-league's first championship last April.
He was every bit as important to their success this season, helping the team win 29 of 40 regular-season contests and enter the postseason as the No. 1 seed.
Washington is The Japan Times' All-First Team power forward. His 22.2 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game and a healthy helping of timely blocked shots, assists, steals and screens.