Meet the BCL Asia 2024 Teams: Hiroshima Dragonflies

DUBAI (UAE) - It is now time to meet the eight teams competing in the inaugural Basketball Champions League Asia (Asia) with the target of being crowned the champion of champions among Asian basketball clubs.

Here we continue with the  Hiroshima Dragonflies.

Overview

Who would have thought that the Dragonflies would be here? 

The young club weren't expected to be championship contenders at the start of the B.LEAGUE season. They barely made it to the B.LEAGUE championship - the Playoffs - and had to earn their spot as a wild card team. They lost their star guard and AKATSUKI JAPAN member Ryo Terashima to a season-ending injury in one of the most important part of the season.

Yet, they barged onward, winning 19 of the last 23 games of the regular season. Besting red-hot Sanen NeoPhoenix in the Quarter-Finals. Overcoming the odds to beat the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins in the Semi-Finals. And then coming from behind to take down the defending champions, Ryukyu Golden Kings in the Finals.

The Dragonflies season is one of which they make documentaries. Conquering the inaugural BCL Asia would make one heck of an episode in what has already been an exciting story. 

History

Winning a B.LEAGUE title is already impressive, but to do it as a club that is just over a decade old makes it even more noteworthy. 

The championship run comes in just their second appearance in the playoffs. The Dragonflies were established in and then played in the B.LEAGUE from 2016 onwards.

They started playing in B2 and gained promotion in 2020. The team made their first Playoff berth in the 2022-2023 season after a 41-18 season in the Western Conference, losing to the Chiba Jets in the Quarter-Finals. They clinched their Wild Card spot in the playoffs this season with a 36-24 record before making the run to win the championship.

Key Player(s)

When one Ryo falls, another one arises. That's how the saying goes right? No? Well, that's the case here as Ryo Yamazami stepped up after Terashima suffered an injury, leaving a huge void for the Dragonflies to fill.

Yamazaki went on to up his production from 7.6 per game before Terashima's injury to 10.1 points per game after and win the B.LEAGUE Championship Finals MVP.

Of course, it was far from a solo performance. The Dragonflies put in a team effort all around, spearheaded by the fantastic play of Dwayne Evans (15.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game) and Kerry Blackshear (13.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game). 

Upcoming Schedule

9 June 2024 - 12:30 (GMT +4) - vs Pelita Jaya Basketball
10 June 2024 - 15:30 (GMT +4) - vs KCC Egis Basketball
11 June 2024 - 15:30 (GMT +4) - vs Shahrdary Gorgan

Meet the other BCL Asia 2024 Teams HERE:

 Shabab Al Ahli
 Liaoning Flying Leopards
 Shahrdary Gorgan
and more to come!

FIBA