HoopsHype.com Rumors

How much was your city (Akita) affected? It wasn’t affected by the tsunami, right? Will Graves: Akita was affected because due to not having power, the grocery stores were flooded with people raking up the last of what they could. Restaurants were shut down for days and there was no food to buy from the grocery stores. Local convenient stores were the only places to eat. Well, at least for me. Power was turned back on within the next couple of days, but the food resources have not fully regained stock and service. HoopsHype

Japan, Will Graves 

How hard did you consider leaving? Will Graves: I really never considered leaving because the health issues are not supposed to affect us here in Akita. This is my second chance around and if my health is not at risk, I am going to take full advantage of it. I also like being a part of the fund-raiser and being a supporter in giving help and aid for Sendai. What if the situation at the nuclear plan takes a turn for the worse? Will Graves: If the situation with the plant takes a turn for the worse, then I will maybe consider leaving, because like I said, my health is important to me. HoopsHype

Japan, Will Graves 

Have you changed your day-to-day habits much? Will Graves: Yes, in some ways I’ve changed my day-to-day habits just in by where and what I eat. Nothing different as far as being outside, but there has been statements that the milk and vegetables have radiation in them. I asked the coach about where we get our crops from and he said our resources should not be affected, so I will probably resume to my normal habits again, once the grocery stores become fully stocked. HoopsHype

Japan, Will Graves 

What is the plan for you career-wise once the season in Japan is over? Will Graves: Well, I am still draft eligible so hopefully there is some way I could get drafted. If not, then I will keep pursuing my dreams of the NBA in the summer circuit if possible. If that doesn’t work for next year, then I will see what my options are overseas again. But my ultimate goal is to reach the NBA. HoopsHype

Japan, Will Graves 

Will Graves: Yeah, my college career didn’t end the way I wanted it to and everyone doesn’t always get to do things in the manner they pictured it being done. I grew up a Tar Heel fan, I always dreamed of going to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and I accomplished those goals. Again, I’m not happy with how everything ended and not saying I wouldn’t want to be there now, but things happen in ways we just have to bounce back and keep fighting from. Coach Williams used this quote a lot during my time there and I am living by it right now… “You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails.” I am very appreciative of my opportunity at UNC, and I am definitely very appreciative of my second chance. HoopsHype

Japan, Will Graves 

The Tokyo Apache's season isn't officially over, but the team's American players and head coach, Bob Hill, were busy making plans to leave the country as soon as possible, The Japan Times has learned. With the uncertainty of widespread health risks due to the Fukushima nuclear plant's radiation leak problems in the aftermath of Friday's devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami, the Apache's foreign personnel, including Hill, general manager Conor Neu and players Robert Swift (ex-NBA center), Mike Chappell, Justin Johnson, Jeremy Tyler (teenage NBA prospect and projected second-round draft pick), Byron Eaton and Darin Satoshi Maki were on the verge of leaving the country as of press time on Wednesday afternoon. Japan Times

Bob Hill, Jeremy Tyler, Japan, Robert Swift 

Neu, however, said things are still up in the air. "I'm told the league will make a decision and announce an official statement soon and we're waiting for that," he said. "As with the rest of the country, plans change hourly. The team is still in Tokyo at the moment, although we canceled practice today as we make decisions on what to do." Japan Times

Bob Hill, Jeremy Tyler, Japan, Robert Swift 

In a number of e-mails and interviews with league sources in recent days, it's become clear that numerous imports from other bj-league teams have discussed or are considered leaving Japan in fear of more natural disasters and health risks. For a league with nearly 35 percent of its players coming from overseas, a mass exodus of players — and possibly foreign head coaches L.J. Hepp (Oita HeatDevils), Zeljko Pavlicevic (Shimane Susanoo Magic), Bob Nash (Saitama Broncos) and Bob Pierce (Akita Northern Happinets) — would compound this unforeseen chain of events. Japan Times

Bob Hill, Jeremy Tyler, Japan, Robert Swift 

Mike Bresnahan: Kobe says his parents are fine in Japan: "They're still there but they're doing OK." They were in Tokyo when the earthquake and tsunami hit. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Japan 

Kobe Bryant’s parents are safe after being evacuated from their Tokyo hotel after an 8.9 earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on Firday, according to the Lakers star. KCAL/9 broadcaster John Ireland, reached on the road, said Friday morning that he talked to Bryant who said his sister had been able to reach their parents. Bryant is on the road with the Lakers, who were headed to Dallas, where they play the Mavericks on Saturday. The Lakers lost to Miami on Thursday. “Apparently everyone is safe,” Ireland said. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Japan 

Jeremy Tyler, still a few months shy of his 20th birthday, is no stranger to NBA talent evaluators. Though he's playing halfway around the world, the Tokyo Apache's highly touted 210-cm prospect is being closely watched. "I've had about five teams contact me for video, but I know his agent has been speaking with, and providing video for many more," Apache general manager Conor Neu told The Japan Times a few hours after the team's double-overtime loss on Wednesday against the Akita Northern Happinets. Japan Times

Jeremy Tyler, Japan 

Apache coach Bob Hill said talent alone isn't the only factor in the way players are drafted nowadays. "We've started drafting players on potential," he said. "No 19-year-old is going to go into the NBA and help you win. It's not going to happen. As great as LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were (coming out of high school) . . . you can help a team win but you are not going to go in and impact a team. "So now we are drafting these young ones and the D-League (NBA Development League) is a big part of it." "His progress has been solid. He's gotten a lot better lately and we'll get back to the States and get him ready for the draft." Japan Times

Bob Hill, Jeremy Tyler, Japan 

Courtesy of The Japan Times’ Ed Odeven: OSAKA — Kyoto Hannaryz guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf participated in the 3-Point Shootout during Sunday’s All-Star festivities, providing a thrill for the enthusiastic crowd at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. The former NBA standout gave fans of all ages a delightful memory to talk about in years to come. They can say they saw Abdul-Rauf while he played in Japan. Even though the 41-year-old, averaging 13.9 points per game, probably should have been given a special spot on the Western Conference All-Star squad to drum up greater interest among fans and the media — heck, he was already there to begin with — he holds no grudges. SLAM

Japan, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

It's true, though, that Tokyo Apache forward-center Jeremy Tyler has enormous potential as a basketball player. And he's in the early stages of a career that could someday earn him hundreds of millions of dollars in the NBA. For now, he's working diligently under the guidance of ex-NBA coach Bob Hill, who's in his first year guiding the Apache. Like the 210-cm Tyler, the Apache are a work in progress, with a .500 record through 16 games. Japan Times

Bob Hill, Jeremy Tyler, Japan 

Tyler had 10 points and eight rebounds in the series finale in 21 minutes a day after notching his second double-double of the season (14 points, 11 rebounds in 19 minutes). "Me and him and assistant coach Casey (Hill) have set short-term goals," Tyler admitted, "so maybe this week I'll focus on keeping the ball up, or sprinting every single play no matter what. Coach is doing a really good job since the day I met him. And he's going to continue to do it because he believes in me and I trust him." Japan Times

Bob Hill, Jeremy Tyler, Japan 

"He shows me and teaches me and I learn from him every single day," Tyler said without hesitation. "The reason I'm here is because it's a great program and Coach Bob is here. I couldn't get a better coach. I couldn't get a better man, mentor, father figure in my life than coach, really." Japan Times

Bob Hill, Jeremy Tyler, Japan 

With four new clubs joining the bj-league next season, more roster spots will open up for imports, too, including those who have spent quality time in the NBA Development League, which a growing number of current bj-league stars have played in. "If Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Kenny Satterfield and Robert Swift continue to play well, of course there will eventually be more former NBA players coming here," a league insider told The Japan Times last week. "It's just that now they will first try the NBADL, Europe, other leagues, and then when their value drops to a certain point, they will join the bj-league. But to get guys recently released or available in the case of a lockout is a long shot. Very, very long shot." Japan Times

Japan, Robert Swift, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

Can you hear me now?:Jason relays his experiences in Asia with his blog on HoopsHype.com. With millions of followers throughout the world, his Asian Diaries gives an inside look into the world of basketball through his eyes. He cleverly laments stories about what the sport is like in Communist-based China and in Japan- game days are very different than what Americans are used to as it’s not uncommon to have tea served at games, smoking is tolerated and you probably won’t hear Zombie Nation. But his messaging doesn’t end there. He understands that his typical locker-room pep talk and motivational anecdotes won’t be helpful in his situation. Coach shares that “sometimes I use their culture as inspiration, like incorporating Sun Tzu’s The Art of War to help motivate my players”; who would imagine using a classic piece of written work to get your team psyched to play? Examiner

Japan, Jason Rabedeaux 

Byron Eaton, Robert Swift and Jeremy Tyler have all signed to play for the Tokyo Apache of Japan's BJ League. Twitter

Jeremy Tyler, Japan, Robert Swift, Byron Eaton 

The Tokyo Apache's aggressive offseason overhaul plan continues in overdrive. The team signed teenage power forward Jeremy Tyler on Thursday, adding a player who took the courageous — and historic — decision to skip his senior season at San Diego High School to play for the Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli League. Japan Times