The Oita HeatDevils were 7-1 to open the 2012-13 season before the team¡¯s financial crisis broke up the nucleus of the roster, sending Matt Lottich, Wendell White, Taj Finger, Cyrus Tate, Kazuya ¡°J.¡± Hatano and Naoto Takushi packing as massive cost-cutting measures took place and new players arrived.
The league office stepped in and a new team company was formed in the process, with Japanese players taking significant pay cuts to remain with the club.
The team took a nosedive, including a 123-50 loss to the Ryukyu Golden Kings in December, but recovered to finish 22-30. Then-newcomer Verdell Jones III, an Indiana University product, and Taishiro Shimizu formed a potent backcourt duo after the aforementioned players¡¯ departure.
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