The B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME WEEKEND 2025, held on January 18 and 19, dazzled basketball fans at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY, showcasing thrilling competition and unexpected entertainment. The weekend culminated with the B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME on January 19, where the B.WHITE team emerged victorious against B.BLACK, concluding the game with a score of 119-114.
The excitement started well before the scoreboard began ticking. Famed Japanese boy band SixTONES set the stage with a surprise performance during the opening ceremony, heating up the atmosphere for the games to come. The attendance for this much-anticipated event hit approximately 9,597 enthusiastic fans.
On the court, the game's prelude included grand entrances, such as Yuta Watanabe of the Chiba Jets dramatically descending from the ceiling on wires, capturing the crowd's awe. Naoto Tsuji from Gunma Crane Thunders followed shortly after, maintaining the electrifying momentum as players donned vibrant costumes and performed playful theatrics.
When the game commenced, it became clear both teams were ready to entertain. The first quarter alone featured numerous dunks, with B.WHITE securing 12 high-flying plays to kick-start the contest. The competition was fierce, with Watanabe making his mark early on by achieving three points from beyond the arc. Matt Bonds contributed with impressive assists, helping Jack Cooley of the Ryukyu Golden Kings on his dunk. Despite strong plays from B.BLACK’s DJ Newbill, who hit a buzzer-beater three-pointer, B.WHITE led by five at the end of the first.
Entering the second quarter, the atmosphere only intensified as both teams traded long-range shots. The budding star Yang Jem-in (Sendai 89ERS) opened the scoreboard with another three-pointer, sending fans erupting. More than just play, the composition of B.WHITE shone through as four Chiba Jets players shared the court at the same time, dominating the match tempo. By halftime, B.WHITE held a 14-point lead led primarily by Yuya Suda of SeaHorses Mikawa, who hit multiple three-point shots.
Despite trailing, B.BLACK wasn't about to back down. They clawed their way back thanks to Sebastian Saiz from Alvark Tokyo, who netted multiple successful shots, narrowing the margin as they entered the fourth quarter only eight points behind.
The fourth quarter began with the score teetering. Tsuji made clear his intentions to close the gap with additional three-pointers, but B.WHITE held firm, thanks to scores from Hirotaka Yoshii (San-en NeoPhoenix) and Cooley, who kept the lead intact. The crowd remained on edge as the players' relentless energy filled the arena, leading to a breathtaking conclusion.
Slowly ticking down the clock, the game heightened as Tsuji sparkled again with another three-pointer, nudging the deficit down to just two with minutes to spare. Yet, B.WHITE's rhythm remained organized, clinching their final push for victory with staggering defense and skillful moves.
With the final buzzer sounding, B.WHITE players celebrated their 119-114 win. Star performer Yuya Suda took home the scoring title of the match with 21 points, supported by Cooley with 16 points and 21 rebounds, both showcasing their talent to the home crowd. Watanabe also impressed with 16 points of his own, stirring local pride as one of the team's pivotal players.
B.BLACK's efforts weren't unnoticed; leading their pack was Saiz with 19 points and 11 rebounds, accompanied by Newbill adding another 18 points, showcasing the competitive spirit present throughout the game.
B.LEAGUE exported pure entertainment with this year’s All-Star event, both through exhilarating gameplay and delightful spectacles for fans present. MVP Yuki Togashi, with his brilliant 15-point display, expressed afterwards, "I think I was able to enjoy playing," highlighting both personal achievement and the joy of competing on home turf.
Reflecting on the occasion, Togashi emphasized, "I knew I would be selected since it's Funabashi," indicating how significant this event was for all players under the B.LEAGUE brand. And with the success of the weekend and attendance figures spoken for, fans eagerly await the league's future endeavors.