Ed Odeven 
Sunrockers Shibuya head coach Luka Pavicevic speaks to reporters at a news conference on April 13, 2025, after a game against the Chiba Jets in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. (©B.LEAGUE)
The Sunrockers Shibuya announced the firing of head coach Luka Pavicevic on Tuesday, April 15, two days after their 68-55 B.League road loss to the Chiba Jets.
Longtime Sunrockers assistant coach Kyle Bailey was named Pavicevic's replacement, starting with the team's Wednesday clash against the host Nagoya Diamond Dolphins.
The Sunrockers have lost five of their last 10 games.
Heading into the league's midweek slate of games on April 16, Shibuya (28-24) is six games behind the SeaHorses Mikawa (34-18) in the wild-card standings. The Gunma Crane Thunders (33-19) are the other top contender for a wild-card berth as of this writing.
Sunrockers general manager Ryota Matsuoka said he felt the team needed to make a leadership change.
"We have learned a lot from Coach Luka since we invited [him] to be the head coach of this club for the 2023-24 season," Matsuoka said in a statement. "The time we have spent growing together through various experiences has been invaluable. We are very grateful for his great contribution to the club.
"On the other hand, as we approach the climax of the season, I have decided that the best thing for me to do is to take the next step, taking into consideration the players and staff who have come together with great determination and responsibility, as well as the current situation and future of this club."
Pavicevic, 56, is the only head coach in B.League history to win consecutive titles. He accomplished the feat with the Alvark Tokyo during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
The Montenegrin mentor led the Alvark from 2017-22.
He returned to the B.League as Shibuya's new coach in 2023. In his first season with the Sunrockers, they went 35-25, falling short of the playoffs.
A New Opportunity for Bailey
Bailey, a former Santa Clara (California) University guard, said he gained basketball knowledge while working under Pavicevic.
"I would like to thank Coach Luka for his passionate leadership of the team since last season and for helping me grow as a coach and as a person," Bailey said in a statement.
The 43-year-old Bailey added, "I am thrilled and very grateful for this wonderful opportunity."
B.League Star Togashi Sidelined with an Ankle Injury
As the regular season winds down, Chiba Jets point guard Yuki Togashi is sidelined with a left ankle sprain. The perennial All-Star sustained the injury on April 5 against the Alvark Tokyo at Yoyogi National Stadium.
Togashi is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks, the team announced in a news release on April 9.
The playoffs tip off on May 10, and the Jets (34-18 through April 13) are in the hunt for a postseason berth. A healthy Togashi would certainly boost the team's chances of success in the postseason.
Chiba coach Trevor Gleeson's squad has struggled of late, dropping three of its last five games.
Togashi, 31, is averaging 14.4 points and 5.1 assists in 48 games.
Closing Commentary
It's my view that Utsunomiya Brex guard DJ Newbill should be the hands-down choice for the 2024-25 regular-season MVP award.
Observing the entire landscape of the 24-team B.League and the impact of individual players on their team's overall performance, it's clear that Newbill is a tone-setting force for the Brex.
With Newbill providing consistent scoring and sharing the ball with his teammates, Utsunomiya (43-9) has clinched the Eastern Conference title.
He is the league's fourth-leading scorer (17.6 points per game). And Newbill is No 2 in assists (6.1). He's also a strong rebounder (5.8).
In addition, there's an incalculable aspect of Newbill's play, raising his teammates' confidence level and inspiring them whenever he steps onto the court.
When Newbill was named B.League MVP after the 2023-24 season, it was fitting recognition for his 20.5 points and 5.3 assists and leadership skills.
Once again, Newbill has proven that he's the right choice for MVP.
And he has a shot at becoming the first player in B.League history to win back-to-back MVP awards.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
