[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Tributes to Kevin Braswell as Basketball World Mourns His Passing

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Kevin Braswell brought infectious energy, coaching acumen and a passion for winning to the basketball court.

Intensely focused on making improvements in every practice and every game, the Baltimore-born mentor was a dynamic addition to the coaching staff of two B .League clubs, the Akita Northern Happinets and the Utsunomiya Brex, in recent years.

Braswell coached his final game before the B.League All-Star break on January 12, leading the Brex to a 96-87 home win over the Northern Happinets. With the win, Utsunomiya improved to 25-5 in Braswell's first season as head coach. He served the previous season as the Brex's associate head coach, helping the squad achieve a league-best record of 51 wins and nine losses.

Sadly, while putting his stamp on the Brex's identity as a title-chasing team, Braswell's life took an unexpected turn in mid-January. He was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack and needed emergency triple bypass surgery on January 17.

Braswell remained hospitalized for several weeks, during which the Brex turned to New Zealander Zico Coronel to serve as acting head coach.

On Monday, February 24, the Brex announced that Braswell had passed away that day at a hospital in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture. He was 46.

*A moment of silence is held in tribute to Kevin Braswell before the Utsunomiya Brex's home game on March 1. (B.LEAGUE)*

Remembering Kevin Braswell

In recent days, tributes poured in for Braswell on social media and via traditional media outlets.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott was among those who paid tribute to the former 6-foot-2 playmaker.

"There are so many young men and women who grew up playing basketball in Baltimore, looking up to him, wearing those Georgetown jerseys, because he was there," Scott said.

"We would like to express our heartfelt respect and gratitude to Mr Braswell for his dedication to the development of the club and his contribution to the growth of the team over the course of two seasons," the Brex said in a statement.

*A portrait of Kevin Braswell is displayed on a seat on the sideline during the Utsunomiya Brex's game against the Levanga Hokkaido on March 1 at Brex Arena Utsunomiya. (B.LEAGUE)*

In a fitting tribute to Braswell's zest for winning, Utsunomiya won its first game since his passing, beating the visiting Levanga Hokkaido 81-64 on Saturday, March 1.

The Brex lead the B.League's eight-team Eastern Conference with a 32-6 record.

Brex backup guard Atsuya Ogawa, who is 22, contributed 10 points, two assists and a steal in the series-opening win.

"It was a very difficult situation, but I'm glad we were able to come together and win the game with a strong spirit," Ogawa told reporters.

"Head coach Braswell told me to keep working hard because you will be a great player, and I learned a lot from his attitude toward basketball."

*Brex guard Makoto Hiejima drives past Levanga guard Hiroto Kikuchi on March 1. (B.LEAGUE)*

Teammate Makoto Hiejima, who scored 14 points, added, "I think we prepared as well as we could while supporting each other as a team. We said goodbye to Kevin, vowing that we would definitely win this season with our style of basketball."

Braswell's Successor Shares Thoughts

Coronel, who stepped in during Braswell's absence in January, spoke after Saturday's game in a press conference.

He exuded class in discussing the sorrow surrounding the team and in showing appreciation to the Levanga for their patience during a pregame moment of silence.

"Obviously, KB is dear to us," Coronel said. "Probably, I don't know if [the Levanga] had anyone on their team that has ever been on the same team as him. But the respect they showed in joining us, we thank them for this, and they gave us a great challenge."

Coronel acknowledged the news of Braswell's passing was "a big shock for everyone but we all came together [on Monday]. We were all together at the hospital."

The funeral took place on Tuesday, February 25.

In preparing to play a two-game series against Hokkaido, training sessions on Thursday and Friday were "really, really good quality trainings. And I think the guys deserve immense credit and also the staff, the sacrifices that they made… they had to put the players first no matter how they may be feeling."

*Akita Northern Happinets head coach Kenzo Maeda (B.LEAGUE)*

Happinets Coach Reacts to Braswell's Death

Reacting to the news of Braswell's passing, Northern Happinets head Kenzo Maeda issued a statement on Tuesday.

"I am speechless and torn by the news of the passing of head coach Kevin Braswell," said Maeda. "My deepest sympathies go out to his family and all those involved with him."

Maeda took a leave of absence as Akita head coach before the 2022-23 season when his wife Natsumi became ill. After Natsumi's passing that preseason, Braswell stepped in and guided the team.

To this day, Maeda is grateful for the positive energy and moral support Braswell gave him and the team that season.

"I spent many days with him during the 2021-22 season, which was the club's first playoff appearance [in the B.League]," Maeda recalled. "The following season, he took care of me, fought and protected Akita [on my behalf]. His positive and confident personality was a great source of energy for Akita."

He added, "His love became my zest for life. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the passion and love he poured into my life. We must not stop. I will cherish the precious days he wanted to live and I will go on with my own life. [And] I would like to express my sincere condolences."

Kevin Braswell: A Distinguished Career in College and Overseas Pro Leagues

Braswell's basketball talents led to a four-year collegiate career at Georgetown University (1998-2002). He started all 128 games he appeared in during his years with the Hoyas, averaging 13.6 points, and left Georgetown as the school's all-time leader in steals (349) and assists (695). And he's still the statistical leader in both categories.

In his successful pro career, Braswell suited up for teams in France, Italy, Israel, Belgium, Poland, Russia, Turkey, New Zealand, among others. He began his pro career in 2002 in Belgium and retired in 2016 after a stint with New Zealand's Wellington Saints.

With the New Zealand Breakers, he won an Australian NBL title in 2011, and collected two more with the New Zealand NBL's Southland Sharks in 2013 and '15.

SB Nation's Casual Hoya blog published a heartfelt tribute to Braswell.

Perhaps two passages from the article best capture Braswell's life and legacy as a basketball player and coach.

"Beyond the statistics, Braswell embodied the spirit of Georgetown basketball," the blog reported. "He was a workhorse, a leader, and a player who always gave his all on the court. His impact on the program extended beyond his playing days, as he inspired countless young Hoyas with his dedication and passion for the game."

Later in the article, the tribute included the following:

"Kevin Braswell's passing is a tremendous loss for the basketball world. He was a talented player, a respected coach, and a true ambassador for the game. His journey from a determined freshman at Georgetown to a head coach in Japan is a testament to his dedication, perseverance, and love for basketball.

"...The Georgetown community will forever cherish the memories of this remarkable individual and the impact he had on the program."

Advocating Comprehensive Health Checks for Coaches

For the past several years, the National Basketball Coaches Association has conducted health and heart screenings for NBA head coaches and assistant coaches. Health checks take place during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

It's a proactive policy to help identify potential life-threatening issues.

*Gunma Crane Thunders head coach Kyle Milling (B.LEAGUE)*

Asked if the B.League has established a similar plan, Gunma Crane Thunders bench boss Kyle Milling confirmed one doesn't exist.

"The B.League or clubs do not have any medical check for coaches or staff," Milling told SportsLook. "I do think they probably should."

He added, "I know many companies do medical checks for their employees, but in basketball, it does not exist. [And] I do hope something can change from this sad situation."

Braswell's playing credentials were highlighted above. His career trajectory as a coach over the past decade was also impressive. It included back-to-back NZNBL titles as the Wellington Saints head coach in 2016 and '17.

Continue reading the full story, which includes news items on Nordic combined, boxing, baseball and more, on SportsLook.

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.