The defending WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday signed Japan native Yuko Oga (170-G-82) to a training camp contract.
If the 25-year-old Oga makes the team, she will become the second Japanese player in league history. The other was Mikiko Hagiwara, who played in the WNBA in 1997-1998.
Oga, who lived in Los Angeles when she was a child, is recognized as one of the top female athletes in Japan. She became a member of the JOMO Sunflowers in 2001 and has led the team to four Womens Japanese Basketball League titles.
Oga was named the leagues Most Valuable Player this season, leading the WJBL in assists (7.1) and steals (2.4) and ranking fourth in scoring (15.6).
Yuko is a point guard who will thrive in our up-tempo offense, Mercury coach Corey Gaines said. Her experience playing international ball and her quickness will help her fit in with our system.
Player of the Year: Ramu Tokashiki (191-C/F-91) of JX-Eneos S. Guard of the Year: Rui Machida (161-PG-93) of Fujitsu RW Forward of the Year: Maki Takada (183-F/C-89) of Denso Iris Center of the Year: Ramu Tokashiki (191-C/F-91) of JX-Eneos S. Defensive Player of the Year: Ramu Tokashiki (191-C/F-91) of JX-Eneos S. Coach of the Year: Kiyomi Sato of JX-Eneos S.
FINAL
JX-Eneos S. - Denso Iris 71-59
JX-Eneos extended their WJBL dominance. They beat Denso Iris to earn the 10th straight League title. The game was mostly controlled by JX-Eneos S.. Denso Iris was better in fourth quarter 26-18. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They dominated on the defensive end, holding Denso Iris to just 5 points in first quarter and to 14 points in first half. They outrebounded Denso Iris 44-32 including a 21-8 advantage in o... [read more]
JX-Eneos extended their WJBL dominance. They beat Denso Iris to earn the 10th straight League title. The game was mostly controlled by JX-Eneos S.. Denso Iris was better in fourth quarter 26-18. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They dominated on the defensive end, holding Denso Iris to just 5 points in first quarter and to 14 points in first half. They outrebounded Denso Iris 44-32 including a 21-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Ramu Tokashiki (191-91) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. International point guard Asami Yoshida (165-87) contributed with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. The former international power forward Maki Takada (183-89) answered with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and the former international center Sakura Akaho (182-96) added 14 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Denso Iris. Top scorers: JX-Eneos S.: R.Tokashiki 18+10reb+1ast, Y.Miyazawa 13+5reb+4ast, A.Yoshida 12+6reb+9ast, M.Onuma 9+3reb, Y.Osaki-Mamiya 8+3reb, S.Miyazaki 6+6reb+1ast Denso Iris: M.Takada 20+12reb+2ast, S.Akaho 14+6reb+2ast, M.Iju 13+3reb+6ast, M.Inai 8+3reb+6ast, H.Akaho 4+4reb, M.Yamada 0
Toyota Alvark nipped Chanson to clinch the Bronze medals. The guests trailed by 7 points after three quarters before their 26-18 charge, which allowed them to win the game. Toyota A. forced 22 Chanson V-M turnovers and had a 22-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international forward Moeko Nagaoka (180-93) fired 14 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international guard Yuko Oga (170-82) chipped in 8 points. Toyota A.'s coach Don Beck used entire bench in such tough game. Guard LiQuan Luohe (165-91) produced 16 points and 7 rebounds and forward Chikae Uchino (176-93) added 13 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Chanson V-M players scored in double figures. Top scorers: Toyota A.: M.Nagaoka 14+5reb+1ast, S.Mizushima 11, M.Minamiminoru 11+2reb+1ast, K.Kondo 9+2ast, Y.Oga 8+4reb+2ast, M.Binge 7+6reb+1ast Chanson V-M: L.Luohe 16+7reb+3ast, S.Motokawa 13+4reb+5ast, C.Uchino 13+9reb+2ast, M.Kawamura 11+6reb+1ast, R.Tanimura 10+1reb+2ast, Y.Kato 6+3reb+1ast
WJBL Round 1 of Semi-Finals. JX-Eneos and Denso Iris to clash for title - 27 days ago
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JX-Eneos S. - Chanson V-M 78-56 JX-Eneos cruised past Chanson to reach Final. JX-Eneos S. outrebounded Chanson V-M 43-32 including 17 on the offensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when JX-Eneos S. made 7 blocks. The former international power forward Ramu Tokashiki (191-91) fired a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. Point guard Aya Okamoto (161-91) chipped in 20 points (perfect behind the arc making all six s... [read more]
JX-Eneos cruised past Chanson to reach Final. JX-Eneos S. outrebounded Chanson V-M 43-32 including 17 on the offensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when JX-Eneos S. made 7 blocks. The former international power forward Ramu Tokashiki (191-91) fired a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. Point guard Aya Okamoto (161-91) chipped in 20 points (perfect behind the arc making all six shots !!!). JX-Eneos S.'s coach Kiyomi Sato felt very confident using entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Chikae Uchino (176-93) produced 13 points and 7 rebounds and the former international center Rika Tanimura (184-93) added 14 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Top scorers: JX-Eneos S.: R.Tokashiki 23+12reb+1ast, A.Okamoto 20+3ast, Y.Osaki-Mamiya 13+8reb, Y.Miyazawa 8+6reb, K.Umezawa 4+4reb, S.Miyazaki 4+4ast Chanson V-M: R.Tanimura 14+6reb+2ast, C.Uchino 13+7reb+3ast, S.Motokawa 11+3reb+2ast, M.Kawamura 8+4reb+1ast, L.Luohe 6+2reb+4ast, Y.Kato 4+2reb
Denso Iris overcame Toyota in the semifinal clash. Toyota A. was ahead by 5 points after three quarters before a 24-9 charge of Denso Iris, which allowed them to win the game. They made 25-of-30 charity shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Toyota A. was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Maki Takada (183-89) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 9 rebounds. The former international guard Momoko Inai (166-95) contributed with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. The former international forward Moeko Nagaoka (180-93) answered with 14 points and 7 rebounds and the former international power forward Evelyn Mawuli (180-95) added 12 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Toyota A.Four Denso Iris and five Toyota A. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Top scorers: Denso Iris: M.Takada 27+9reb+1ast, S.Akaho 14+7reb, M.Inai 13+5reb+9ast, M.Iju 13+4reb+4ast, H.Akaho 9+9reb+4ast, H.Shinohara 3+1reb Toyota A.: M.Nagaoka 14+7reb, Y.Oga 12+3reb+2ast, E.Mawuli 12+5reb+2ast, S.Mizushima 10+1reb+1ast, M.Minamiminoru 10+5reb+3ast, K.Kondo 8
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