Nagasaki Velca Clinches First B1 West Division Title in Historic Third Season
On April 25, 2026, Nagasaki Velca secured its first-ever B1 West Division championship in the 2025-26 B.League season, marking a remarkable ascent from its founding in 2020 to the pinnacle of Japanese professional basketball in just three seasons.
The victory was confirmed prior to tip-off when Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, Velca’s closest rival in the West Division, lost their game elsewhere, giving Velca an unassailable lead in the standings. The team then went on to defeat the Fighting Eagles Nagoya 83-73 in an away game at Nagoya City Aoshima Sports Center, finishing the regular season with a 45-12 record.
This achievement represents the fulfillment of a dream for a club established only six years ago. Nagasaki Velca began its journey in the B3 league during the 2020-21 season, earned promotion to B2 the following year, and reached B1 in 2022-23. The 2025-26 season marks their third campaign in Japan’s top basketball division.
Key contributors to the championship-clinching effort included import players Stanley Johnson and Jarell Brantley, who scored 19 and 23 points respectively in the final game. Domestic stars Lee Hyun-jun and Yudai Baba also reached double figures, underscoring the team’s balanced attack.
Following the game, Velca held an on-court celebration where players, including retiring veteran Masaya Kariya, donned championship gear and shared a commemorative plaque. The victory grants Velca home-court advantage throughout the upcoming B.League Championship playoffs, beginning with the quarterfinals.
As the first West Division champion in franchise history, Nagasaki Velca now carries the hopes of a region eager to see its team compete for the national title. The club’s rapid rise from B3 to B1 champions exemplifies the competitive spirit and growth potential within Japan’s professional basketball league.
The team’s next challenge begins in the B.League Championship playoffs, where they will seek to build on this historic regular-season achievement with a deep postseason run.
Share your thoughts on Nagasaki Velca’s remarkable journey and what this championship means for the future of basketball in Kyushu.
