The Japan Professional Basketball League (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Chairman: Shinji Shimada, hereinafter “B.LEAGUE”) held “Dot Esty B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME 2023 IN MITO” DAY1. The results are as follows.
■ Winners and records of various contests
[G-SHOCK SKILLS CHALLENGE]Yokohama B-Corsairs / Yuki Kawamura (first) * Record: 20.9 seconds (1st place in history)
[3POINT CONTEST]Nagoya Diamond Dolphins / Takumi Saito (first) * Record: 19 points (tied for first place in history)
[DUNK CONTEST]Ryukyu Golden Kings/Coe Flippin (first time)
* 2021 will not be counted because it will be held online and the rules will be different.
■Comments from contest winners
[G-SHOCK SKILLS CHALLENGE]Yuki Kawamura (Yokohama B-Corsairs)
Frankly, I’m happy, and it’s a great honor to win with the fastest time ever. I think that being able to ride speed is more important in a contest than precision of play, and during the challenge, I was able to ride speed and accuracy. We didn’t have much time to warm up, but I feel that we were able to show what we have achieved in practice and matches. It is thanks to the Yokohama B-Corsairs that I was able to win the championship this time, so I would like to use the winning prize money for meals with my teammates and personal meals with my friends.
[3POINT CONTEST]Takumi Saito (Nagoya Diamond Dolphins)
I never thought that I could really win. I didn’t have a lot of confidence, and I was so nervous backstage before the performance that I felt sick. It was my first time shooting in this arena, and I was glad that I was able to find the flow and score the shot while sweating my hands at the beginning. It is an honor to be the champion with the same score as the previous record. I would like to go to a team dinner with my teammates who have practiced once with the winning prize money. Also, in the next contest, if possible, I would like to aim for two crowns at the same time, 3POINT CONTEST and his G-SHOCK SKILLS CHALLENGE.
[DUNK CONTEST Winner]Koh Flippin (Ryukyu Golden Kings)
I am happy that I was able to represent Okinawa and win the championship, and I feel very good. The dunk shot I showed with my teammate Keita Imamura in the final was actually something I had only practiced twice in the sub-arena before the actual performance. As always, Imamura delivered the best pass today, and I was able to successfully dunk the ball. I can’t think of what to do next time. I would like to go out to dinner with my teammates, including Imamura, because I owe the winning prize money to Mr. Imamura. Everyone in Okinawa, thank you for your support.
■B.LEAGUE ASIA RISING STAR GAME
[Date and time]Friday, January 13, 2023
[Venue]Adastria Mito Arena (2-3-10 Midoricho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture)
[Match result]ASIA ALL-STARS 118-114 RISING STARS
【Number of visitors】 2,854
[Box Score] https://www.bleague.jp/game_detail/?ScheduleKey=501173&tab=4
[Special website]https://www.bleague.jp/all-stargame2023/
