Best players of Japanese B1 League round 59 (by Hoops Agents)

- May 4, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Kerry Blackshear Jr.

Kerry Blackshear Jr.

American Kerry Blackshear Jr. (208-F-1997) had a great game in the last round for Gunma Crane Thunders and that's him to receive a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 59.
The 28-year old forward had the game-high 27 points adding seven rebounds and seven assists for Gunma CT in his team's victory, helping them to edge out Sendai 89ers (#6, 35-25) 83-82. Thanks to this victory Thunders moved-up to the 3rd position in Japanese B1 League. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. Gunma CT will need more victories to improve their 42-18 record. Blackshear Jr. turned to be Thunders's top player in his first season with the team. Kerry Blackshear Jr. averages this season 16.0ppg, 7.2rpg and 4.2apg.

The second most remarkable performance in last round's games was young Syrian guard Trey Kell III (193-G-1996, agency: Slash Sports) of Toyama Grouses. Kell III impressed basketball fans with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Of course Grouses cruised to a 96-89 relatively comfortable win over the higher-ranked Hiroshima D. (#7, 31-29). Toyama G.'s 13th position in West has not changed. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 18-42 record. Kell III is a newcomer at Toyama G. and it seems he did not have too much trouble to become one of team's leaders. He belongs to the best scorers in the league with 22.9ppg (#2). His other stats are also decent: 6.5rpg and 4.4apg.

The third best performed player last round was American Jack Cooley (206-C/F-1991, agency: Pensack Sports) of Ryukyu Golden Kings Okinawa (#3). Cooley showcased his all-around game by recording 23 points, 18 rebounds (!!!) and 4 assists in the last round. Despite Cooley's great performance the Golden Kings lost 82-83 to #1 ranked Tochigi Brex. But his team cannot count on just a single player as he also needs help of the other teammates especially in such crucial game. The last thing Ryukyu needs is to lose another game like this one. They lose more and more distance to the top teams in the West. Their record is 42 victories and 18 lost games. Cooley has a great season in Japan. After 60 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in rebounds with 9.6rpg (5th best).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Coty Clarke (201-F-1992) of Shimane SM - 33 points and 9 rebounds
5. Jake Layman (206-F-1994) of Sea Horses M. - 28 points and 9 rebounds
6. Jarrett Culver (198-G-1999) of Sendai 89ers - 33 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists
7. Reynaldo Garcia (187-G-1990) of Saga B. - 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists
8. Hyunjung Lee (201-G/F-2000) of Nagasaki - 30 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists
9. David Nwaba (195-G/F-1993) of San-en NP - 27 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists
10. Marcus Foster (191-SG-1995) of Alvark Tokyo - 33 points, 3 rebounds and 5 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 : KERRY BLACKSHEAR JR., GUNMA CRANE THUNDERS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL,