Basketball: NBA Summer League experience motivates B-League players

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Having set a target of sending at least five players to the NBA by 2030, Japan's B-League recently put some of its best young basketball talent to the test on the sidelines of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

The B-League United select team played four scrimmages in July against teams taking part in the NBA Summer League, comprising mostly youngsters and fringe players competing for NBA roster spots.

Although B-League United went winless against the Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers between July 9 and 14, the Japanese players gained motivation to raise their levels.

"I realized that the standards I had set for myself until now were very low," said Nagoya Diamond Dolphins swingman Keita Imamura, who has played for Japan's national team. "I have to raise those standards myself."

The Las Vegas tour coincided with national team activities, so B-League United was unable to field its strongest possible roster.

In addition, it was difficult to call up foreign players of the B-League during the offseason.

While pointing out some issues, B-League executive officer Naoya Okamoto, who helped bring the tour to fruition, said, "The players grew (through playing against the NBA teams). We played all four games properly, so that's really good."

"We still need to think harder about how to absorb costs and achieve a situation that benefits everyone."