{{Short description|Professional basketball league (2007–2013)}} {{For|the current top flight of Japanese basketball|B.League}} {{Infobox basketball league |name = Japan Basketball League |image = |pixels = |country = {{JPN}} |other countries = |confed = FIBA Asia (Asia) |founded = 2007 |first = 2007–08 |folded = 2013 |divisions = |teams = 8 |feeds = |promotion = |relegation = JBL2 |levels = 1 |domest_cup = |supercup = |overseas_tournament = |confed_cup = |champions = Aisin SeaHorses (4th title) |season = |most_champs = Aisin SeaHorses (4) |top_scorer = |tv = |owner = | president = |sponsor = |website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20061129190605/http://www.jbl.or.jp/ jbl.or.jp/] (Archived) |current = }} The '''Japan Basketball League''' ('''JBL''') was a professional basketball league in Japan. It made up the top-tier of basketball in Japan alongside the bj league, Japan's other basketball competition, with no promotion and relegation between bj and the JBL.
The JBL was composed of two divisions, the '''JBL''' (Division 1, formerly ''JBL Super League'') and the '''JBL2''' (Division 2, formerly ''Japan League'').
In June 2012, the Japan Basketball Association announced the establishment of the National Basketball League (NBL) as the topflight professional league in Japan. The 2012–13 season was the last JBL season as JBL teams joined the NBL.
== History == The Japan Basketball League was formed after the JBL Super League, which was held from 2001 to 2007, was disbanded. The new Japan Basketball League started with the 2007–08 season with 7 teams of the JBL Super League (Aisin SeaHorses, Hitachi SunRockers, Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dolphins, OSG Phoenix, Panasonic Super Kangaroos, Toshiba Red Thunders, Toyota Alvark), and one team from another league, Rera Kamuy Hokkaido.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2006-2007.asp|title=JBL Superleague 2006-2007|website=asia-basket.com|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025110903/https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2006-2007.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=jbl0708>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2007-2008.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820083024/http://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2007-2008.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2017|title=Japan Basketball League 2007-2008|website=asia-basket.com|access-date=March 30, 2020}}</ref>
== List of champions == {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Season ! Regular season champion ! Finals champion ! Series ! Runner-up |- |2007–08<ref name=jbl0708 /> |Aisin SeaHorses |'''Aisin SeaHorses''' |3–2 |Toyota Alvark |- |2008–09<ref name=jbl0809>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2008-2009.asp|title=Japan Basketball League 2008-2009|website=asia-basket.com|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025110906/https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2008-2009.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> |Aisin SeaHorses |'''Aisin SeaHorses''' |3–1 |Hitachi SunRockers |- |2009–10<ref name=jbl0910>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2009-2010.asp|title=Japan Basketball League 2009-2010|website=asia-basket.com|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=April 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423203148/https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2009-2010.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> |Aisin SeaHorses |'''Link Tochigi Brex''' |3–0 |Aisin SeaHorses |- |2010–11<ref name=jbl1011>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2010-2011.asp|title=Japan Basketball League 2010-2011|website=asia-basket.com|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025094645/https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2010-2011.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> |Aisin SeaHorses |colspan=3|No winner (league discontinued due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami) |- |2011–12<ref name=jbl1112>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2011-2012.asp|title=Japan Basketball League 2011-2012|website=asia-basket.com|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025094505/https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2011-2012.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> |Aisin SeaHorses |'''Toyota Alvark''' |3–1 |Aisin SeaHorses |- |2012–13<ref name=jbl1213>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2012-2013.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820081251/http://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/basketball-B-League_2012-2013.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2017|title=Japan Basketball League 2012-2013|website=asia-basket.com|access-date=March 30, 2020}}</ref> |Aisin SeaHorses |'''Aisin SeaHorses''' |3–2 |Toshiba Brave Thunders |}
== Award winners == === Regular season MVP === [[File:Sakuragi jr.jpg|thumb|right|175px|J. R. Sakuragi won the Regular season MVP award 3 times in a row]] {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Season ! MVP ! Team |- |2007–08 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Shinsuke Kashiwagi<ref name=jbl0708 /> |Aisin SeaHorses |- |2008–09 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Kosuke Takeuchi<ref name=jbl0809 /> |Aisin SeaHorses |- |2009–10 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Kosuke Takeuchi<ref name=jbl0910 /> (2×) |Aisin SeaHorses |- |2010–11 |{{flagicon|JPN}} J. R. Sakuragi<ref name=jbl1011 /> |Aisin SeaHorses |- |2011–12 |{{flagicon|JPN}} J. R. Sakuragi<ref name=jbl1112 /> (2×) |Aisin SeaHorses |- |2012–13 |{{flagicon|JPN}} J. R. Sakuragi<ref name=jbl1213 /> (3×) |Aisin SeaHorses |}
=== Finals MVP === {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Season ! MVP ! Team |- |2007–08 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Shinsuke Kashiwagi<ref name=jbl0708 /> |Aisin SeaHorses |- |2008–09 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Kosuke Takeuchi<ref name=jbl0809 /> |Aisin SeaHorses |- |2009–10 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuta Tabuse<ref name=jbl0910 /> |Link Tochigi Brex |- |2010–11 |colspan=2|No winner (playoffs not played)<ref name=jbl1011 /> |- |2011–12 |{{flagicon|USA}} Philip Ricci<ref name=jbl1112 /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/04/23/basketball/high-energy-alvark-outplay-sea-horse-capture-jbl-championship/|title=High-energy Alvark outplay Sea Horse, capture JBL championship|author=Nagatsuka, Kaz|newspaper=The Japan Times|date=April 23, 2012|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=December 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208042936/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/04/23/basketball/high-energy-alvark-outplay-sea-horse-capture-jbl-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref> |Toyota Alvark |- |2012–13 |{{flagicon|JPN}} J. R. Sakuragi<ref name=jbl1213 /> |Aisin SeaHorses |}
== Statistical leaders == === Top scorers === [[File:Kawamura takuya.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Takuya Kawamura led the league in scoring for 4 consecutive seasons]] {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Season ! Player ! Team !{{tooltip|PPG|Points per game}} |- |2007–08 |{{flagicon|USA}} Marquis Estill<ref name=jbl0708 /><ref name=0708leaders>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624081209/http://www.jbl.or.jp/ranking/index.php|title=Ranking|url=http://www.jbl.or.jp/ranking/index.php|language=ja|archive-date=June 24, 2008|website=jbl.or.jp|access-date=April 1, 2020}}</ref> |OSG Phoenix |24.9 |- |2008–09 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Takuya Kawamura<ref name=jbl0809 /><ref name=pro0809>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/league/281/japan-b1-league/2008/leaders|title=JAPAN - B1 LEAGUE BASKETBALL (JAP-1) Leaders for 2008-2009 season|website=proballers.com|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> |Link Tochigi Brex |20.4 |- |2009–10 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Takuya Kawamura<ref name=pro0910>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/league/281/japan-b1-league/2009/leaders|title=JAPAN - B1 LEAGUE BASKETBALL (JAP-1) Leaders for 2009-2010 season|website=proballers.com|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref><ref name=0910leaders>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331122140/http://www.jbl.or.jp/gamerecord/leaders/index.php|url=http://www.jbl.or.jp/gamerecord/leaders/index.php|title=Match Record / Leaders (JBL 2009-2010)|website=jbl.or.jp|language=ja|archive-date=March 31, 2010|access-date=April 1, 2020}}</ref> (2×) |Link Tochigi Brex |20.5 |- |2010–11 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Takuya Kawamura<ref name=jbl1011 /><ref name=pro1011>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/league/281/japan-b1-league/2010/leaders|title=JAPAN - B1 LEAGUE BASKETBALL (JAP-1) Leaders for 2010-2011 season|website=proballers.com|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> (3×) |Link Tochigi Brex |19.3 |- |2011–12 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Takuya Kawamura<ref name=jbl1112 /><ref name=pro1112>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/league/281/japan-b1-league/2011/leaders|title=JAPAN - B1 LEAGUE BASKETBALL (JAP-1) Leaders for 2011-2012 season|website=proballers.com|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> (4×) |Link Tochigi Brex |20.4 |- |2012–13 |{{flagicon|USA}} Nick Fazekas<ref name=jbl1213 /><ref name=pro1213>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/league/281/japan-b1-league/2012/leaders|title=JAPAN - B1 LEAGUE BASKETBALL (JAP-1) Leaders for 2012-2013 season|website=proballers.com|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> |Toshiba Brave Thunders |21.6 |}
=== Rebounding leaders === {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Season ! Player ! Team !{{tooltip|RPG|Rebounds per game}} |- |2007–08 |{{flagicon|USA}} Marquis Estill<ref name=jbl0708 /><ref name=0708leaders /> |OSG Phoenix |16.0 |- |2008–09 |{{flagicon|USA}} Cory Violette<ref name=0809leaders>{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622120129/http://www.jbl.or.jp/gamerecord/leaders/index.php |archive-date=2009-06-22 |title=Leaders |language=ja |website=jbl.or.jp |url=http://www.jbl.or.jp/gamerecord/leaders/index.php |access-date=April 1, 2020}}</ref> |Toshiba Brave Thunders |11.0 |- |2009–10 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Kosuke Takeuchi<ref name=pro0910 /><ref name=0910leaders /> |Aisin SeaHorses |11.4 |- |2010–11 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Joji Takeuchi<ref name=jbl1011 /><ref name=pro1011 /> |Hitachi SunRockers |12.2 |- |2011–12 |{{flagicon|JPN}} J. R. Sakuragi<ref name=pro1112 /><ref name=1112leaders>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519010737/http://www.jbl.or.jp/gamerecord/leaders/?season=2011-2012|url=http://www.jbl.or.jp/gamerecord/leaders/?season=2011-2012|title=Leaders|website=jbl.or.jp|language=ja|archive-date=May 19, 2012|access-date=April 1, 2020}}</ref> |Aisin SeaHorses |12.0 |- |2012–13 |{{flagicon|JPN}} J. R. Sakuragi<ref name=jbl1213 /><ref name=pro1213 /> (2×) |Aisin SeaHorses |12.5 |}
=== Assists leaders === {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Season ! Player ! Team !{{tooltip|APG|Assists per game}} |- |2007–08 |{{flagicon|USA}} Cliff Hawkins<ref name=jbl0708 /><ref name=0708leaders /> |OSG Phoenix |7.5 |- |2008–09 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuta Tabuse<ref name=pro0809 /><ref name=0809leaders /> |Link Tochigi Brex |5.6 |- |2009–10 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Shinsuke Kashiwagi<ref name=pro0910 /><ref name=0910leaders /> |Aisin SeaHorses |4.1 |- |2010–11 |{{flagicon|JPN}} J. R. Sakuragi<ref name=jbl1011 /><ref name=pro1011 /> |Aisin SeaHorses |3.9 |- |2011–12 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Takuya Kawamura<ref name=pro1112 /><ref name=1112leaders /> |Link Tochigi Brex |4.5 |- |2012–13 |{{flagicon|JPN}} J. R. Sakuragi<ref name=jbl1213 /><ref name=pro1213 /> (2×) |Aisin SeaHorses |4.4 |}
=== Steals leaders === {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Season ! Player ! Team !{{tooltip|SPG|Steals per game}} |- |2007–08 |{{flagicon|USA}} Cliff Hawkins<ref name=jbl0708 /><ref name=0708leaders /> |OSG Phoenix |2.3 |- |2008–09 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuta Tabuse<ref name=pro0809 /><ref name=0809leaders /> |Link Tochigi Brex |2.3 |- |2009–10 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Toshihiro Sato<ref name=jbl0910 /><ref name=pro0910 /> |Hitachi SunRockers |2.9 |- |2010–11 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Shinsuke Kashiwagi<ref name=pro1011 /><ref name=1011leaders>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519010707/http://www.jbl.or.jp/gamerecord/leaders/?season=2010-2011|url=http://www.jbl.or.jp/gamerecord/leaders/?season=2010-2011|title=Leaders|language=ja|website=jbl.or.jp|archive-date=May 19, 2012|access-date=April 1, 2020}}</ref> |Aisin SeaHorses |2.1 |- |2011–12 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Toshihiro Sato<ref name=pro1112 /><ref name=1112leaders /> (2×) |Hitachi SunRockers |1.7 |- |2012–13 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Tomokazu Abe<ref name=jbl1213 /><ref name=pro1213 /> |Levanga Hokkaido |2.1 |}
=== Blocks leaders === {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Season ! Player ! Team !{{tooltip|BPG|Blocks per game}} |- |2007–08 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Kosuke Takeuchi<ref name=0708leaders /> |Aisin SeaHorses |1.8 |- |2008–09 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Kosuke Takeuchi<ref name=jbl0809 /><ref name=pro0809 /> (2×) |Aisin SeaHorses |1.7 |- |2009–10 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Kosuke Takeuchi<ref name=pro0910 /><ref name=0910leaders /> (3×) |Aisin SeaHorses |2.0 |- |2010–11 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Kosuke Takeuchi<ref name=jbl1011 /><ref name=pro1011 /> (4×) |Aisin SeaHorses |1.7 |- |2011–12 |{{flagicon|JPN}} Joji Takeuchi<ref name=jbl1112 /><ref name=pro1112 /> |Hitachi SunRockers |1.5 |- |2012–13 |{{flagicon|USA}} Jameel Watkins<ref name=jbl1213 /><ref name=pro1213 /> |Panasonic Trians |2.1 |}
== Clubs == thumb|275px|right|The playoff final game between the Aisin SeaHorses and the Toshiba Brave Thunders in 2013 The teams that played in JBL's last season in 2012–13 were:<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513013213/http://www.jbl.or.jp/schedule/|url=http://www.jbl.or.jp/schedule/|title=Schedule|language=ja|website=jbl.or.jp|archive-date=May 13, 2012|access-date=April 1, 2020}}</ref>
=== JBL === *Aisin SeaHorses *Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins *Levanga Hokkaido *Toyota Alvark *Hitachi SunRockers *Toshiba Brave Thunders *Panasonic Trians *Link Tochigi Brex
=== JBL2 === *Hitachi Cable Bulldogs *Big Blue Tokyo *Kuroda Electric Bullet Spirits *Ishikawa Blue Sparks *Toyota Tsusho Fighting Eagles *Aisin AW Areions Anjo *Toyoda Gosei Scorpions *Renova Kagoshima *TGI D-Rise *Hyogo Storks
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://web.archive.org/web/20061129190605/http://www.jbl.or.jp/ Official JBL website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20081217050454/http://www.jbl.or.jp/jbl2/ Official JBL2 website]
{{International basketball}} {{Men's professional basketball leagues}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Japan Basketball League (2007-13)}}
Category:Basketball leagues in Japan Japan Category:2007 establishments in Japan Category:2013 disestablishments in Japan