Levanga　Hokkaido

 

Hi, everyone! I’m Keigo Masuyama.

 

Do you like basketball? I like playing and watching basketball very much. Today, I’ll introduce the basketball team that play it in Hokkaido. The name is Levanga Hokkaido.

 

 

 

 

 

To begin with, let's talk about the history of Levanga Hokkaido. The team was originally called Lera Kamui Hokkaido and changed its name to Levanga Hokkaido in 2011. The name is derived from the meaning "to continue to be a team that the people of Hokkaido cheer us on to do our best”. The team grew and finally entered the B1 League in 2016. The team has made numerous accomplishments and has promoted basketball to the children of Hokkaido.

 

Next, I’ll introduce three Levanga Hokkaido players.

 

First, this is Takehiko Orimo. He moved to the team in 2007 and went on to have many accomplishments and win a Guinness World Record at the age of 49. He was the team's point scorer, specializing in 3-point shooting. In 2020, he retired as a player, but continues to support the team as its president.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second, this is Ryota Sakurai. He moved to the team in 2007. He is tall, agile, and has a scoring ability that you would not expect from a Japanese player. Also, he dives for loose balls and contributes to the team with his energetic play. He is still an active player at the age of 39.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, this is Shawn Long. He is from America and moved to the team last year. What a surprise, he is a former NBA player! He did a tremendous job last year. He is a strong physical player and a powerful dunk shooter. He is on this team again this year so I'm very excited about him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, the team is playing at a place called "Hokkai Kitae-ru".

Access

11-1-1, Toyohira 5-jo, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 062-8572, Japan

5 minutes on foot from Toyohira-koen Station

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why don’t you go and watch the game?

 

Thank you for reading!