MANILA, Philippines (April 2026) — The Japan B.League keeps getting more exciting, and a fresh crop of talents is turning heads this season.
Betting company 1xBet highlighted five players who could use the league as a launchpad to bigger stages, from NBA returns to international stardom. One name stands out for Pinoy fans: homegrown big man Kai Sotto.
Kai Sotto: The 7-foot-2 Filipino phenom
The 23-year-old center for Koshigaya Alphas is showing serious NBA potential. Standing 221 cm tall, he dominates the paint with 1.2 blocks per game and nearly 9 rebounds. Sotto already has NBL Fans MVP awards from his time with the Adelaide 36ers, and experts say his shooting, ball-handling, and defense keep improving with every training session.
Lee Hyun-jung: South Korea’s versatile star
At 25 years old and 201 cm tall, the shooting guard/small forward has become a ticket-selling sensation for Nagasaki Velca. The former Illawarra Hawks player won an NBL championship in Australia and brings quick decision-making that lets him pass, shoot, or drive in just seconds. His basketball bloodline runs deep — his mother won Olympic silver in 1984.
Keisei Tominaga: Japan’s scoring point guard
The 25-year-old, 188 cm playmaker signed with Levanga Hokkaido in 2025 and currently leads all Japanese players with 18.5 points per game. Tominaga, who played college ball in the US and suited up for the Indiana Mad Ants in the NBA G League, also shines for Japan’s national team in both 5-on-5 and 3×3 formats. He excels at reading defenses and directing teammates on the fly.
Stanley Johnson: The ex-NBA veteran chasing MVP
The 29-year-old American small forward (198 cm) is the biggest name in the league right now. Playing for Nagasaki Velca, he averages 23 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 34.4% from three. With his deep NBA experience, many see him as the top contender for season MVP and a strong candidate for an NBA return.
Jarrett Culver: The scoring machine
Another American with serious NBA mileage (Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks), the 198 cm swingman currently leads the B.League in scoring at 26.3 points per game. Culver once dropped a season-high 52 points in a single game and delivers highlight-reel dribbling, passing, and shooting that makes him one of the most entertaining players to watch.
These five athletes bring a mix of size, skill, athleticism, and experience that is raising the level of play across the B.League. For Kai Sotto especially, a strong showing this season could open even more doors back home with Gilas Pilipinas and beyond.
