Continuity is the plan.
The Akita Northern Happinets aim to build off their remarkable success this past season with a winning formula ¡ª by having Joseph ¡°Pep¡± Claros continue to call the shots.
The well-traveled Spaniard guided Akita to a league-record 54 victories in 60 regular-season games this past season, with the Tohoku-based team capturing the East Division title. Although the Happinets fell to the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka in the B2 championship series, they secured a spot in the 18-team top flight for the upcoming season.
Claros isn¡¯t going anywhere, the team announced on Thursday.
¡°After an unforgettable season, I want to announce to you that I will be back,¡± Claros said in a statement posted on the team website.
¡°First, I want to thank all the players, staff, (team) president and board members and (fans) from our organization that allowed me to live that wonderful season.
¡°Last year, I told you our goal was to be in B1. And all together we made it.¡±
He continued: ¡°I also said our ultimate goal was to be the best in Japan in the future. Now is the time to build a new team and compete with the best to see our level.¡±
Claros, who has coached teams on five continents, is confident the Happinets will succeed in reaching that goal.
¡°I¡¯m sure we will be the surprise of the league,¡± the 49-year-old mentor said. ¡°And as we always did, we will do it game by game trying to give our maximum. We all know it¡¯s not going to be easy.
¡°But we are not afraid and again with all of you we will show our style and character from the first day.¡±
In other team news, the Happinets confirmed that veteran big man Kadeem Coleby has agreed to a deal for the 2018-19 campaign.
The 206-cm Coleby, a native of the Bahamas, averaged 11.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and a second division-best 1.7 blocks in 51 games.
¡°I am excited to be a part of the Akita Northern Happinets team for another season,¡± said Coleby, a Wichita State product. ¡°I hope that we can build off of last season¡¯s success and continue to grow as a team.¡±
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