Japanese B1 League round 43 best performance: Tanner Groves (by Hoops Agents)

- March 16, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Tanner Groves

Tanner Groves

American Power forward Tanner Groves (208-F/C-1999) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for Saga Ballooners, receiving a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 43.
The 26-year old player had a double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds, while his team beat Shimane SM (22-22) 96-91. Ballooners maintains the 7th position in their group in the Japanese B1 League. Saga B. is a typical solid league team placed somewhere in the middle or a little bit lower in the standings. They need more victories to improve their 22-22 record. Groves turned to be Ballooners's top player in his first season with the team. Tanner Groves averages this season 18.3ppg and 8.9rpg.

The second best player in last round's games was young American Sean O'Mara (208-F/C-1995, agency: Diamond Sports) of Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya. O'Mara had a very good evening with a double-double of 19 points and 18 rebounds. Bad luck as Fighting Eagles lost that game 79-85 to slightly lower-ranked Kawasaki BT (#12, 12-32). The game was between two teams which are definitely not main contenders for the top position in East. FE Nagoya keeps 10th position. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 15-29 record. O'Mara is one of the most experienced players at FE Nagoya and has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players.

Third on the list of top players last round was Hungarian forward Rosco Allen (208-PF-1993, agency: Pensack Sports) of Kawasaki Brave Thunders (#12). Allen showcased his all-around game by recording 20 points, 12 rebounds (!!!) and 9 assists in the last round. He was a key player of Brave Thunders, leading his team to a 85-79 win against slightly higher-ranked FE Nagoya (#10, 15-29). Kawasaki can only dream about fighting for top spots in East. They have rather bad season and 12-32 record places them close to the bottom of the standings. Allen has a very solid season. In 38 games in Japan he scored 14.9ppg.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Robert Franks (205-F-1996) of Ibaraki R. - 32 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists
5. Angelo Caloiaro (203-F-1989) of Kyoto H. - 19 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists
6. Matt Bonds (196-F-1995) of Osaka E. - 21 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists
7. Nick Kay (206-PF-1992) of Shimane SM - 27 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists
8. Ryan Luther (206-PF-1995) of Osaka E. - 30 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists
9. Victor Law (201-F-1995) of Ryukyu GK - 29 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists
10. DJ Newbill (193-G-1992) of Tochigi Brex - 21 points, 15 rebounds and 8 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 Hoops Agents. Hoops Agents is the most complete website about the agencies and players they represent. With more than twenty years of experience, Hoops Agents is already recognized as the most reliable destination for the players who wish to continue their career in professional basketball and are searching for a reputable and connected representation. Hoops Agents is also most complete source of transactions news.

Tags : TANNER GROVES, SAGA BALLOONERS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL,