With a superbly consistent anchor in the middle, the Osaka Evessa captured their third title in as many bj-league seasons on May 4.

It's no accident that this has happened. Center Jeff Newton, who first earned notoriety as a solid all-around player at Indiana University, is an integral part of the Evessa's success.

Exhibit A: Newton was the league's No. 1 shot-blocker in 2007-08, rejecting 148 shots (3.4 per game). And he was the rebounding runnerup, averaging 13.3 boards per game.