Japanese B2 League round 17 best performance: Ryan Stephan (by Interperformances)

American Center Ryan Stephan (208-C-94) put on an amazing game in the last round for Tokyo EX, receiving a Interperformances B2 League Player of the Week award for round 17.
The 25-year old player had a double-double of 34 points and 19 rebounds, while his team beat Bambitious N. (#5, 4-13) 93-85. Tokyo EX maintains the 3rd position in their group in Japanese B2 League. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. Tokyo EX will need more victories to improve their 11-4 record. In the team's last game Stephan had a remarkable 62.5% from 2-point range and got four three-pointers out of 7 attempts. It's his second year at Tokyo EX and it's hard to imagine this team without him. Former Mesa State University star has very solid stats this year. Stephan is in league's top in points (8th best: 22.7ppg), rebounds (5th best: 12.9rpg) and averages impressive 59.7% FGP.

The second best player in last round's games was 32-year old American Alex Stepheson (208-F/C-87) of Koshigaya A.. Stepheson had a very good evening with a double-double of 23 points and 24 rebounds. Bad luck as Koshigaya A. was edged by the higher-ranked Sendai 89ers (#2, 12-5) 77-73. Koshigaya A. managed to keep the same 6th spot in Central. 14 lost games are too many comparing to just three victories Koshigaya A. managed to get this year. Stepheson is a newcomer at Koshigaya A., but is already one of team's top players.

Third on the list of top players last round was American forward Greg Mangano (208-PF-89, agency: Octagon Europe) of Bambitious N. (#5). Mangano showcased his all-around game by recording 28 points, seventeen rebounds (!!!) and four assists in the last round. He was a key player of Bambitious N., leading his team to a 98-89 win against slightly higher-ranked Tokyo EX (#3, 11-4). Bambitious N. can only dream about fighting for top spots in West. They have rather bad season and 4-13 record places them close to the bottom of the standings. Mangano has individually a great season in Japan. After 15 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in rebounds with 15.3rpg (2nd best).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Jordan Faison (201-F-94) of Tokyo EX - 33 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists
5. Terrance Woodbury (201-G-87) of Kagawa FA - 40 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists
6. Andrew Fitzgerald (202-C/F-90) of Bambitious N. - 35 points and 15 rebounds
7. Wayne Marshall (211-C-86) of Shinshu BW - 22 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists
8. Robert Jones (201-F-84) of Kumamoto V. - 23 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists
9. Kevin Kotzur (203-F-89) of Kagawa FA - 18 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists
10. Torian Graham (196-G-93) of Yamagata - 33 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists

The Player of the week is selected based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3* (REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4* (2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3* (2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3* (3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

The Player of the Week awards are presented by Interperformances. Interperformances is a full-service agency specializing in the representation of professional athletes the world-over. With more than forty-eight years of experience, INTERPERFORMANCES is well known to all professional teams and clubs. General Managers trust and rely on our opinions and recommendations.

Tags : RYAN STEPHAN, TOKYO EXCELLENCE, JAPANESE BASKETBALL