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.
Gamecocks Wrap Up Competition in Japan - 11 days ago
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET NEWS
follow us on
South Carolina women's basketball closed out its competition with the Japan National Team Tuesday, playing a full 40-minute game for the first time on the tour. Japan claimed a 78-57 victory with a strong fourth quarter after the Gamecocks posted their most competitive effort of the three days to hold the lead much of the first half. Senior forward A'Ja Wilson (6'5''-F-96) again was the most aggressive offensive player, notching a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Fellow forwa... [read more]
South Carolina women's basketball closed out its competition with the Japan National Team Tuesday, playing a full 40-minute game for the first time on the tour. Japan claimed a 78-57 victory with a strong fourth quarter after the Gamecocks posted their most competitive effort of the three days to hold the lead much of the first half. Senior forward A'Ja Wilson (6'5''-F-96) again was the most aggressive offensive player, notching a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Fellow forwards sophomore Mikiah Harrigan (6'2''-F) and freshman Lele Grissett each added eight points to the effort. Overall, the Gamecocks shot the ball better and were solid defensively in the first half, slowing down the high-paced Japan offense. Japan took an early 6-1 lead, but South Carolina got back on track for their first lead when Grissett put back her own miss and Wilson delivered on the left block for a 7-6 advantage. The first quarter continued to go the Gamecocks' way with Doniyah Cliney (6'0''-G) converting a traditional three-point play and Wilson pouring in the final four points on a steal and layup and another drive. With a 15-10 lead after the opening quarter, the Gamecock offense continued to roll with a Wilson jumper from the elbow. A series of empty possessions let Japan get back into the game, however, with a 12-0 run that gave the home team a 25-17 advantage. South Carolina closed the half well, though, going inside where Grissett, Wilson and Herbert Mikiah Harrigan accounted for the final 11 points of the period. Japan stretched its 32-28 halftime lead early in the third period, but once again South Carolina answered, putting together a 9-0 run, this time, mostly via its guards. Herbert Mikiah Harrigan and Wilson started the surge, which sparked a 3 from freshman Haley Troup and a transition layup from Araion Bradshaw (5'6''-G) that made it a 37-35 Gamecock lead. The veteran Japan squad responded with its own 9-0 run to re-establish its command of the contest, taking a 50-42 lead into the final period, during which it continued to inch away from the Gamecocks. Courtesy of: gamecocksonline.com
Japan celebrated victory at the friendly tournament in Skopje. They claimed three wins in as many games. Japan wrapped up their campaign with an 88:59 victory over Bulgaria. Moeko Nagaoka (180-F-93) and Takada posted 14 points each for the winners. Japan dominated from start to finish. They established a 43:25 halftime lead. Bulgaria narrowed the gap at 15-point mark heading into the fourth stanza. But Japan ignited a 24:10 run in the final frame to seal the win. Kaede Kondo (173-G/F-91)... [read more]
Japan celebrated victory at the friendly tournament in Skopje. They claimed three wins in as many games. Japan wrapped up their campaign with an 88:59 victory over Bulgaria. Moeko Nagaoka (180-F-93) and Takada posted 14 points each for the winners. Japan dominated from start to finish. They established a 43:25 halftime lead. Bulgaria narrowed the gap at 15-point mark heading into the fourth stanza. But Japan ignited a 24:10 run in the final frame to seal the win. Kaede Kondo (173-G/F-91) netted 12 points for the winners. Diana Voynova (192-C/F-88, college: Duquesne) responded with 25 points and 10 boards for Bulgaria. Hristina Ivanova (183-F-89) tossed in 13 points in the defeat.
Copyright (c) 1998-2017 Eurobasket Inc. Disclaimer
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.
