The Shiga Lakestars made a major acquisition on Friday, signing guard/forward Mikey Marshall to a contract for the remainder of the season.

Marshall, who was a member of the bj-league's Best Five Team in 2007-08 while helping the Osaka Evessa earn their third straight championship, brings proven leadership and outstanding all-around skills to a second-year team seeking its first playoff appearance.

The Lakestars (18-18) play the Tokyo Apache this weekend in Yokohama, and Marshall will be in uniform. Fittingly, he's been issued jersey No. 1.

Marshall played college ball at Texas Tech under Bob Knight, the winningest coach in NCAA Division I history. His pro career has included stints with the Oita HeatDevils and the Birmingham Bullets of the British Basketball League, as well as time with teams in Egypt and Kuwait. This season, he has played for Al Ariba in Kuwait.

Marshall demonstrated his ability to lead a team at both ends of the floor while playing for Evessa two seasons ago, when he averaged 19.5 points and 2.1 steals (second in the league) per game.

Since arriving in Shiga Prefecture this week, Marshall has quickly made a positive impact.

Just ask Lakestars coach Bob Pierce.

"He looked great in practice today, and he fits in really, really well with our guys and knows how to play," Pierce said on Thursday."