In their quest to win the 2007-08 bj-league title, the Tokyo Apache have added an important piece to the puzzle: frontcourt depth. The Apache signed center Dean Browne, the team announced on Friday. Browne, who turns 28 on Sunday, attended the University of Nevada-Reno and has suited up for the JBL2's Tochigi Brex. He is a 207-cm, 100-kg player. Browne will give Tokyo coach Joe Bryant another option in the middle when starting center Nick Davis, who averages 16.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, takes a rest on the bench. Browne previously played for the Las Vegas Venom and Sacramento Heat Wave of the American Basketball Association. The Apache (14-10) are trailing the Niigata Albirex BB (16-10) and Sendai 89ers (18-7) in the Eastern Conference standings. In other league news, the struggling Toyama Grouses, a second-year club with a 4-22 record, have released forward Chaz Spicer.
