Heading into the Final Stretch with the "Power of Unity": Reflecting on This Season's Challenges and Growth through Player and Coach Statements.

The 2025-26 B.League regular season is finally entering its final stages. As each club vies for a spot in the Championship (CS) and ultimately the top, the Ryukyu Golden Kings have also progressed to this crucial juncture, accumulating many challenges and positive experiences.

This season, the team faced periods of struggling with physical conditioning and play coordination due to a packed schedule, which included consecutive appearances in the EASL (East Asia Super League) for the fourth season and participation in the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championship, which returned to a centralized format. Nevertheless, they have steadily accumulated victories by tackling challenges game by game to enhance team strength, at times demonstrating tenacious defense, and at other times winning close games with high execution in the final moments.

Currently, the Kings' record stands at 32 wins and 15 losses, placing them 4th in the West Division. They are 2nd in the wildcard rankings, putting them within reach of a CS spot. However, the race for CS entry is unusually tight, and they cannot afford to let their guard down in any single game.

To overcome the biggest hurdle of the regular season, the passionate support of our fans is continuously needed. Although the season is still ongoing, to further strengthen the "power of unity," we look back at our journey of trial and error through the statements of Head Coach Takeshi Oketani and the players.

Let's transform the experience accumulated through fierce battles into unwavering strength and face the critical battles ahead together.

[Oct 5 vs Yokohama B-Corsairs ×75-79 Overall Record: 0 wins 2 losses]

The opening games of the 2025-26 season. The team hoped for a good start at home, but the opponent surpassed them in execution during crunch time, resulting in two consecutive losses to Yokohama BC and a tough start.

**"The fighting spirit was significantly better than yesterday."**

《Head Coach Takeshi Oketani》 (In the first game), there were aspects where teammates weren't helping each other, not communicating, and not reaching out to players who fell on the floor. The game unfolded similarly to yesterday, but the fighting spirit was remarkably better. Although we lost, I want to take the positive aspects of the content and approach the next game.

《#4 Vic Law》 The team's condition is not acceptable, but I don't think it's an emergency. Everyone needs to play better. Repeating that, we played over 80 tough games last season. We want to avoid losing two games in a row again. I believe we can do it.

[Oct 11 vs Alvark Tokyo ○83-68 Overall Record: 1 win 2 losses]

After also losing the opening game of the EASL held in Taiwan, the team faced Alvark Tokyo. They secured their first victory of the season with their signature tough defense.

**"The team has developed a shared understanding."**

《#34 Shota Onodera》 We were able to execute what we originally wanted to do. The Kings have always won by fighting gritty with defense and loose balls. In the games we lost, we weren't doing the fine details, like not getting back on defense after turnovers or not using fouls effectively. I think the team has developed a shared understanding.

《#47 Shogo Taira》 Defense is my role. Today, I was able to bring momentum to the team. I was frustrated not being able to play in the opening games, but playing for the team is the most important thing. I always prepared, and when the chance came, I knew I had to do what needed to be done.

[Oct 26 vs Gunma Crane Thunders ○85-81 Overall Record: 5 wins 4 losses]

Against the strong Gunma team, whom they lost to the day before, they regained a win by dominating rebounds. Newcomer #8 Ryo Sadohara spoke about feeling more integrated into the team.

**"My role has become clearer."**

《#8 Ryo Sadohara》 Points were given up when the second lineup was on the court, so that's an area we need to step up. Personally, I've been playing while struggling a bit, but my role is gradually becoming clearer.

《#15 Keishi Matsuwaki》 In the second half, being chased from a lead of over 20 points to a single-digit difference is a challenge. If we become passive under pressure, the momentum won't come to us. Personally, I want to aim for shots when I'm open.

[Nov 16 vs Kyoto Hannaryz ○85-71 Overall Record: 12 wins 6 losses]

This was Andrew Randall's last game during his tenure, as he saved the Kings in an emergency with a short-term contract after Keve Aluma's departure. In this game, even without #4 Vic Law, Randall significantly contributed to the victory with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

**"Thanks to Randall, we were able to get a winning streak."**

《Andrew Randall》 We believed in the plan, executed it, and won. I also fought with Head Coach Oketani for the first two seasons of my professional career. As I've gotten older, I've wanted to become a player who brings calmness to younger players, and it was good to hear Coach Oketani say, "You are calm now."

《Head Coach Takeshi Oketani》 (Randall) is a player who does everything he can for the team. Thanks to him, we can go into the bye-week with a winning streak.

[Dec 10 vs Nagoya Diamond Dolphins ×60-73 Overall Record: 14 wins 7 losses]

With individual roles gradually becoming clearer and riding a 5-game winning streak, the team faced Nagoya D, a top team in the West Division. They lost in a low-scoring game against strong defense, but it was a fruitful game where they experienced how much execution is needed to defeat a team of this level. For #21 Damian Dotson, who joined in December, it was his first home game.

**"It's regrettable that we couldn't maintain the momentum. I want to learn from this."**

《#45 Jack Cooley》 The team had 20 offensive rebounds, but 19 turnovers were the cause of the loss. It's regrettable that we couldn't maintain the momentum from the third quarter, which was our pace, into the fourth quarter. I want to learn what needs to be learned and apply it to the next game.

《#21 Damian Dotson》 Nagoya D is a very good team, and there were times when we were forced into turnovers, but both teams played with very high intensity, and it was a good game. It was my first time on the court of Okinawa Suntory Arena, and I felt it was a wonderful environment surrounded by many fans. I had always wanted to play in the B.League someday, so I am very grateful for this opportunity.

[Dec 24 vs Kawasaki Brave Thunders ×90-96 Overall Record: 17 wins 9 losses]

This game came when #4 Vic Law, a significant presence in both offense and defense, was out due to injury. They suffered a disappointing home loss with the highest points conceded this season. This period, including the games before and after, showed challenges in defensive coordination.

**"I want to play with a sense of urgency."**

《#14 Ryuichi Kishimoto》 I believe that if you understand the strengths of your teammate next to you and have the desire to "bring out their best" and "complement them," a sense of team unity will naturally emerge. Since we are being repeatedly caught doing the same things, the team needs to react quickly. I want to play with a sense of urgency.

《#10 Hayate Arakawa》 We need to improve our coordination. For example, how do we defend as a team when Jack or Alex make a hard show and the ball is passed? I feel we are lacking hard work there. Correct effort is needed for the team to become stronger. Each of us needs to take responsibility and prepare thoroughly for the games.

[Jan 3 vs Seahorse Mikawa ○86-65 Overall Record: 18 wins 11 losses]

The first game of the new year, following three consecutive home losses since the Kawasaki game. They won by holding high-scoring Mikawa to a low score, showing improvements in defense such as quick rotations and 1-on-1 intensity.

**"The most intense game in the past few matches."**

《#53 Alex Kirk》 We played the most intense game in the past few matches. The team was in a tough situation, but the starting five created a good flow. The guards gave me passes at the right time, which allowed me to perform well (22 points, 3 rebounds). As a team, I think we created good space for each other.

[Jan 25 vs Chiba Jets ○65-63 Overall Record: 20 wins 12 losses]

Although signs of improvement appeared after the new year, weaknesses in defense reappeared in the concentrated Emperor's Cup final round, leading to a quarter-final exit. Nevertheless, after a two-week bye-week, they rebuilt their coordination and mental state and achieved two consecutive away victories against the strong Chiba J with a tenacious performance. In the second game, they came from 13 points behind with five and a half minutes left to win.

**"This kind of win is characteristic of the Kings."**

《#14 Ryuichi Kishimoto》 For almost 39 minutes, we were chasing, but in the very end, we were able to reverse the situation and get a characteristic Kings' win. This victory is a testament to the team's mental toughness and ability to make adjustments.