JAPAN: “Deshawn Stephens and his team Akita Northern Happinets lost the BJ League title to Hammamatsu Phoenix by two points (71-69). Akita’s Deshawn Stephens (203-F-89, college:San Diego St.) had a tremendous game and caused defensive fits all 40 minutes for the Phoenix. He led all players with 30 points on 12-for-13 shooting from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds. First-year Happinets coach Makoto Hasegawa said the 25-year-old Stephens’ performance level will only continues to ‘rise and rise.’ He insisted Stephens has NBA-level talent. ‘We played great, we played together,’ Stephens said. ‘We played as a team. . . . We just have to turn this into a positive (for the future).'”
