Point guard Rasheed Sparks has re-signed with the Takamatsu Five Arrows, the bj-league announced on Friday. The 29-year-old Sparks, who led the league in assists (4.7 per game) and steals (2.4) last season, played an instrumental role in helping the team reach the league's championship game as a first-year club. Last season, Sparks proved to be a capable scorer (11.8 points per game) and rebounder (6.6 boards per game). In other league news, the Oita HeatDevils have re-signed 208-cm center Chris Ayer and the Sendai 89ers have OK'd a deal to bring back guard/forward Ryan Blackwell, a former Syracuse University player.
