Volcanoes Taking on a New Challenge in Japan
December 2, 2014 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Vancouver Volcanoes News Release
Vancouver, WA - Three more Volcanoes are getting set to join their Coach in Japan with spots on the Hiroshima Sun Stars roster, competing in the new Basketball Japan League (bj-League) Challenge League in 2015.
While the past two MVP's of the IBL in three seasons, 6'2"G Andre Murray and 6'6"F Chehales Tapscott compete for Bambitious Nara in the bj-League sitting in 8th place in the Western Conference, their teammates 6'10"C Calvin Hampton, 6'11"C Gjio Bain and 5'10"G Dominique Watson are heading to Japan to join Volcanoes and 2014 IBL Head Coach of the Year, Joe Navarro to be a part of the new developmental league.
At only 5'10"G Dominique Watson has hops, just ask his teammates from Team Flight Brothers about his 46" vertical, and will be in flight on the court this January for the Sun Stars.
"Playing with Vancouver Volcanoes this season helped me out a lot. Coach Joe Navarro and Bryan Hunter gave me the opportunity to play my game the way they know I can play and it did me justice, I was the missing piece to their puzzle. I love the Volcanoes, The Heart of Champions" Watson shared. "I'm going to go in and do exactly what coach Joe Navarro and President Kenta Nakashima want me to do. I'm going to win games, win a championship and prove that I belong overseas, playing at the next level," the go getter guard stated.
"Coach Navarro is a great coach I love playing for him; he recruited me to play for Concordia University when I was in college. And Gijo is probably one of the best big men I ever played with besides Calvin Hampton, so it will be a pleasure to play side by side with both of them again," the teammate they call "Dom" added.
"Our guys are always up for a challenge, especially these three with the Coach of the Year leading them," Hunter boasted. "Gjio is a great shot blocker, and takes up a lot of space as a big body with the game of three guard. Calvin has good post moves, a great attitude and works hard. Don't think just because Dominique is 5'10" he can't jump just as high as some of these big guys and will contribute to wins for the new Hiroshima team just as he did for the Volcanoes. I am proud of all three of these guys development; they will work hard for Joe and Kenta in the new challenge league, and add to more Volcanoes success." General Manager, Assistant Coach and Owner, Bryan Hunter shared.
2014 and 2012 All Star Hampton is ready for the challenge and credits his return to the Volcanoes this season for his preparation to take advantage of the new opportunity in Hiroshima.
"Playing in Vancouver this season gave me a chance to prove that I could return to the team after playing in 2012, and play at an All Star level," the Oregon State product shared. "Stepping on the court showing everyone I can be consistent and was willing to do what it takes to ensure my team a victory. This is the same type of mentality that I have carried with me and it will be what I bring with me to Hiroshima, my first time playing in Japan. I've toured China and played in Thailand and I have a love for the Asian culture. It's exciting to see how enthused they are about Basketball," Hampton noted.
"With this team I will be looking to bring the same type of impact I brought to the Volcanoes. Over the years I've been compared to David West . We have a similar frame as well as our styles of play. I also enjoy being an enforcer doing a lot of the dirty work. But above all I'm a loyal guy. I'm loyal to my team and the fans and I'm hoping to leave a mark along with the rest of the guys this season. It's nice when you can be a package deal and play on the same team with a buddy overseas, but it's rare when you can go to play with two great guys as well as a coach you've played for," a very key exception the obviously loyal teammate made.
"I was ecstatic when we got Dom (Dominique) to come back and play with us this season in Vancouver. He's a spark plug and can score in bunches. He's easily one of the most exciting players I've played with. Gijo is special and I enjoy playing alongside him in the front court. He's a rim protector and an excellent defender, but I think this winter we will see Gijo do a lot more scoring to go along with his great rebounding. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a 20/20 game in." Hampton came close to one himself this season with a 18pts, 14rbs game versus Portland, and continues to rave about his coach with the excitement of the upcoming trip apparent.
"Joe is one of my favorite coaches of all time. He's always believed in my game and that's definitely contributed to being able to extend my basketball career after college. He is an excellent X and O guy but he makes the game easy for guys like me. When he asked me to play for this expansion team a few years ago I told him I would as long he was going to be coaching. Here it is about to be 2015 and it's happening. I couldn't have dreamed of a better opportunity with a better group of guys. We've already gone through some tough battles on the court and I feel it gives us an upper hand on other teams. I can't wait to get the ball rolling...literally."
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International Basketball League Stories from December 2, 2014
- Volcanoes Taking on a New Challenge in Japan - Vancouver Volcanoes
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