Kawasaki Brave Thunders Appoints Dai Oketani as New Head Coach
Key facts
- Kawasaki Brave Thunders Appoints Dai Oketani as New Head Coach
- Kawasaki Brave Thunders announced the appointment of Dai Oketani as Head Coach for the 2026-27 season. Oketani, who also serves as the Japan national team head coach from 2026, has a proven track record including multiple B.League and bj-league championships. He aims to establish a winning culture through a strong inside game and ball movement.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 14, 2026
Direct answer
Kawasaki Brave Thunders announced the appointment of Dai Oketani as Head Coach for the 2026-27 season. Oketani, who also serves as the Japan national team head coach from 2026, has a proven track record including multiple B.League and bj-league championships. He aims to establish a winning culture through a strong inside game and ball movement.
- Citation
- Kawasaki Brave Thunders Appoints Dai Oketani as New Head Coach (June 14, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 14, 2026
Kawasaki Brave Thunders announced the appointment of Dai Oketani as Head Coach for the 2026-27 season. Oketani, who also serves as the Japan national team head coach from 2026, has a proven track record including multiple B.League and bj-league championships. He aims to establish a winning culture through a strong inside game and ball movement.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 14, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 14, 2026 at 12:18
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 14, 2026 at 12:21 (2 min after Collected)
Kawasaki Brave Thunders is pleased to announce that Dai Oketani has been appointed as the Head Coach for the 2026-27 season.
Coach Oketani is a leader who knows how to win better than anyone, having guided his teams to the Finals for five consecutive years despite the intensifying and rapidly changing competition across the league. He will also assume the heavy responsibility of head coach for the Japan men's national basketball team starting in 2026. Furthermore, he boasts an outstanding ability to dramatically rebuild and elevate many of the clubs he has coached in his very first year of appointment.
Tactically, he builds on a solid inside game centered around rebounding, and creates a cohesive offense that moves the ball as a team while maximizing the strengths of the roster.
His philosophy, which demands that every player works hard for the full 40 minutes without hesitating to make self-sacrifices, deeply resonates with Kawasaki's goals of "TEAM BASKETBALL" and "BE BRAVE," leading to his appointment as head coach. We expect him to instill a winning culture through autonomy and symbiosis, unleash the potential of young players, and lead Kawasaki to the next stage.
■ Dai Oketani Head Coach Profile
Date of Birth
December 23, 1977
Place of Birth
Kyoto Prefecture
Education
Kyoto Prefectural Shuzaku High School
Arizona State University
■ Career History
2005-2006: Oita Heat Devils, Assistant Coach
2006-2008: Oita Heat Devils, Head Coach
2008-2012: Ryukyu Golden Kings, Head Coach
2012-2015: Iwate Big Bulls, Head Coach
2015-2018: Osaka Evessa, Head Coach
2018-2021: Sendai 89ERS, Head Coach
2021-2026: Ryukyu Golden Kings, Head Coach
■ National Team Career
2026- : Japan National Team, Head Coach
■ Achievements
2006-07: bj-league, 3rd Place
2008-09: bj-league, Champion
2009-10: bj-league, 3rd Place
2010-11: bj-league, Runner-up
2011-12: bj-league, Champion
2014-15: TKbj-league, 4th Place
2021-22: Emperor's Cup, Semifinalist
2021-22: B.League, Runner-up
2022-23: Emperor's Cup, Runner-up
2022-23: B.League, Champion
2023-24: Emperor's Cup, Runner-up
2023-24: B.League, Runner-up
2024-25: Emperor's Cup, Champion
2024-25: B.League, Runner-up
2025-26: EASL, 3rd Place
2025-26: B.League, Runner-up
■ Comment from Head Coach Oketani
"Nice to meet you, Thunders Family. I am Dai Oketani, and I have been appointed as the Head Coach. While inheriting the great culture of the historic Thunders, I want to build a team that connects to the next generation, so let's fight together! Go Thunders⚡️"
Coach Oketani is a leader who knows how to win better than anyone, having guided his teams to the Finals for five consecutive years despite the intensifying and rapidly changing competition across the league. He will also assume the heavy responsibility of head coach for the Japan men's national basketball team starting in 2026. Furthermore, he boasts an outstanding ability to dramatically rebuild and elevate many of the clubs he has coached in his very first year of appointment.
Tactically, he builds on a solid inside game centered around rebounding, and creates a cohesive offense that moves the ball as a team while maximizing the strengths of the roster.
His philosophy, which demands that every player works hard for the full 40 minutes without hesitating to make self-sacrifices, deeply resonates with Kawasaki's goals of "TEAM BASKETBALL" and "BE BRAVE," leading to his appointment as head coach. We expect him to instill a winning culture through autonomy and symbiosis, unleash the potential of young players, and lead Kawasaki to the next stage.
■ Dai Oketani Head Coach Profile
Date of Birth
December 23, 1977
Place of Birth
Kyoto Prefecture
Education
Kyoto Prefectural Shuzaku High School
Arizona State University
■ Career History
2005-2006: Oita Heat Devils, Assistant Coach
2006-2008: Oita Heat Devils, Head Coach
2008-2012: Ryukyu Golden Kings, Head Coach
2012-2015: Iwate Big Bulls, Head Coach
2015-2018: Osaka Evessa, Head Coach
2018-2021: Sendai 89ERS, Head Coach
2021-2026: Ryukyu Golden Kings, Head Coach
■ National Team Career
2026- : Japan National Team, Head Coach
■ Achievements
2006-07: bj-league, 3rd Place
2008-09: bj-league, Champion
2009-10: bj-league, 3rd Place
2010-11: bj-league, Runner-up
2011-12: bj-league, Champion
2014-15: TKbj-league, 4th Place
2021-22: Emperor's Cup, Semifinalist
2021-22: B.League, Runner-up
2022-23: Emperor's Cup, Runner-up
2022-23: B.League, Champion
2023-24: Emperor's Cup, Runner-up
2023-24: B.League, Runner-up
2024-25: Emperor's Cup, Champion
2024-25: B.League, Runner-up
2025-26: EASL, 3rd Place
2025-26: B.League, Runner-up
■ Comment from Head Coach Oketani
"Nice to meet you, Thunders Family. I am Dai Oketani, and I have been appointed as the Head Coach. While inheriting the great culture of the historic Thunders, I want to build a team that connects to the next generation, so let's fight together! Go Thunders⚡️"
FAQ
When will Dai Oketani start his role as head coach of Kawasaki?
He will assume the role starting from the 2026-27 season.
What are Dai Oketani's major championship achievements?
His major titles include winning the bj-league twice, the B.League once, and the Emperor's Cup once, all with Ryukyu.
What is Coach Oketani's tactical philosophy?
Building a solid inside game focused on rebounding and creating a fluid, team-oriented offense.