The Ryukyu Golden Kings have added the well-traveled Hiroki Fujita to their coaching staff as an assistant.
The team announcement was made on Tuesday. Two days later, Fujita also began working as a support staff coach and interpreter at the Japan men¡¯s national team¡¯s development camp, which started on Thursday and runs through June 23.
Fujita, 33, began his coaching career as an assistant for the now-defunct Miyazaki Shining Suns of the bj-league in 2011. He then served as a head coach for the Gunma Crane Thunders and Fukushima Firebonds before taking over as bench boss for the San-en NeoPhoenix in 2016.
Fujita parted ways with the NeoPhoenix after the 2018-19 campaign. He guided the Firebonds to the bj-league playoffs as a first-year franchise (2014-15).
¡°The Ryukyu Golden Kings have always been a team I have seen since I became a professional basketball player and I am happy to be part of it,¡± Fujita said in a statement.
He added: ¡°Also, I have spent my early childhood in Hawaii, so I really feel (warmth) for Okinawa¡¯s island culture and unique culture, so I am very excited to have the opportunity.
¡°This time, I am looking forward to challenging myself as an assistant coach ... and I will do my best not only to play the game, but also on the day-to-day effort to fulfill all the roles I have. ... Using my experience as a head coach, I would like to support head coach (Norio) Sasa firmly, and help and support each other in difficult times.¡±
Ryukyu won the B. League top flight¡¯s West Division this past season with a 40-20 record.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.