Akita Northern Happinets
Akita Northern Happinets logo
ConferenceEast
DivisionFirst
LeaguesB.League
Founded2010 (2010)
Historybj league (2010–2016)
B.League (2016–present)
ArenaCNA Arena Akita
LocationAkita, Akita
Team colorsPink, Gold, Black
     [1]
PresidentYuki Mizuno (fr)[2][3]
Head coachKenzo Maeda
Conference titles2 bj league Eastern Conference champions (2014, 2015)
WebsiteHappinets.com
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away
Third jersey
Team colours
Third

The Akita Northern Happinets are a Japanese professional basketball team based in Akita that competes in the Eastern Conference of the First Division of the B.League.[4] The team was formed as an expansion team of the bj league in 2010[5] and found success for the first time in 2013–14, finishing their fourth season as league runners-up.[6] They went on to finish as runners-up for the second year in a row in 2014–15 and in third place in 2015–16, the final season of the bj league.[7]

History

Akita Prefecture's connection with basketball has historically lay with Noshiro Technical High School, which has won a total of 58 national-level championships,[8] and the Isuzu Motors corporate team (Akita Isuzu Motors, currently the Yokohama Giga Spirits), which was based in Akita from 1955 until 1987.[9] Following the formation of the independent bj league in 2006, a committee was formed to investigate the formation of a professional club within the prefecture in 2007 but was unsuccessful. In June 2008 another association was formed to pursue a bj league franchise licence and a pre-season match between the Sendai 89ers and Niigata Albirex BB was held a few months later.[10] In January 2009 Akita Pro Basketball Club Co., Ltd. was established and in the following May was granted a licence to enter the 2010-11 bj league season. The team's name was announced at a pre-season match hosted in Akita between the 89ers and Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix in September 2009.[11]

2010-11 season

The Happinets entered the Eastern Conference of the bj league in October 2010 as one of three expansion teams. The Shimane Susanoo Magic and Miyazaki Shining Suns joined the Western Conference, taking the league to a total of 16 teams.[12] For their first season the Happinets signed Seiichi Oba as general manager[13] and former Shiga Lakestars coach Robert Pierce as head coach.[14] 39-year-old Akita native and Noshiro Tech alumnus Makoto Hasegawa was acquired from Niigata in exchange for a first-round draft pick and took on a player-manager role.[15] The team drafted Jun Nakanishi and Ryosuke Mizumachi in the expansion draft, Yuki Nobuhira in the second round of the rookie draft and Makoto Sawaguchi in the development draft.[16] The team was unable to reach a deal with Nakanishi, who instead signed with Rizing Fukuoka before the start of the season.[17] Happinets' inaugural home game was held at the Akita Prefectural Gymnasium in October.[18]

2011-12 season

In November 2011 the team signed Curtis Terry, brother of NBA player Jason Terry, to replace the injured Brandon Wallace. After 14 games Terry was released from the club in January due to his arrest for theft from a convenience store.[19]

2013-15 seasons

Has emerged as a strong league power, and won a conference title two years in a row.

2016-17 season

ANH struggled throughout the season and were relegated to second division.[20]

2017-18 season

Akita finished the regular season with a 54–6 record, defeated Kumamoto Volters in the B2 playoffs and were promoted to B1.[21]

2018-19 season

The team suffered its 11th consecutive defeat,[22] However, Akita was not relegated and remained in the B1 league.

2019-20 season

TDK logo

Coach Pep left, and Maeda was promoted from assistant coach to bench boss.[23] The 10th anniversary team got sponsorship deals from electronics company TDK Corporation.[24] Tokyo Denki Kagaku sponsored Liga ACB team, TDK Manresa between 1985 and 2000.[25]New practice facilities, near the Akita Station, was completed in December. Two games were played without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March.[26]

2021-22 season

Assistant coach Makoto Tanaka was arrested for drink-driving on July 17, 2021.[27] The team clinched their first B. League playoff berth on May 8, 2022.

2022-23 season

Amida Brimah was released by Happinets on August 29, 2022. He originally signed for this season on July 13.

Current roster

Akita Northern Happinets roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.
C 00 United States Zack, Steve 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) 111 kg (245 lb)
PF 1 China Wang, Weijia 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 94 kg (207 lb)
PG 2 Japan Fujinaga, Yoshiaki 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) 70 kg (154 lb)
SG 5 Japan Taguchi, Shigehiro 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 84 kg (185 lb)
SG 6 Japan Akaho, Raita 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) 94 kg (207 lb)
PG 11 Japan Kumagai, Ko 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) 70 kg (154 lb)
PF 15 United States Leissner, Tanner 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 105 kg (231 lb)
CG 17 Japan Nakayama, Takuya 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) 82 kg (181 lb)
PG 20 Japan Oguri, Akitoshi 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) 75 kg (165 lb)
PG 21 Japan Hasegawa, Noboru 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) 78 kg (172 lb)
SG 24 Japan Yasuoka, Ryuto 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 87 kg (192 lb)
PF 32 Panama Carter, Javier 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 111 kg (245 lb)
SG 51 Japan Furukawa, Takatoshi (C) 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 90 kg (198 lb)
Head coach

Japan Kenzo Maeda

Assistant coach(es)

United States Mick Downer
Japan Shogo Fukuda
Japan Atsuto Nara

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured Injured
Updated: December 9, 2023

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Management

Akita Northern Happinets Co., Ltd.
TypeKabushiki gaisha
IndustrySports
Founded30 January 2009
Headquarters
Akita Northern Gate Square 2F, Nakadori 7-chome 1 2-3, Akitashi. Akitaken 010-0001
,
Japan
Area served
Akita Prefecture
Key people
Yuki Mizuno
Websitenorthern-happinets.com
Headquarters

39°42′53.2″N 140°7′49″E / 39.714778°N 140.13028°E / 39.714778; 140.13028

General manager

Managers and trainers

  • Japan Yukio Kodaka
  • Japan Shintaro Tahara
  • Japan Itsuki Midorikawa
  • Japan Ryohei Sugano

Former managers and trainers

  • Shigeru Takeuchi
  • Kento Yamasawa

Basketball academy

Bicky

  • Japan unknown

Noted employee

Notable former players

Season-by-season record

Akita Northern Happinets season-by-season record
SeasonLeagueFinishGWLW-LGBPlay-offsPGPWPLPWL
2010–11Bj LeagueEast 6th501832.36024Lost in First Round to Niigata202.000
2011-12Bj LeagueEast 3rd522824.5389Lost in Second Round to Yokohama633.500
2012-13Bj LeagueEast 5th522626.5008Lost in Second Round to Niigata523.400
2013-14Bj LeagueEast 3rd524012.7592Eastern Conference Champions651.833
2014–15Bj LeagueEast 1st524111.788-Eastern Conference Champions752.714
2015–16Bj LeagueEast 3rd523517.67343rd place651.833
2016–17B.LeagueEast 5th601842.30031relegated to B2
2017–18B.League2East 1st60546.900-B2 Runners-up532.600
2018–19B.LeagueEast 5th601743.28335-
2019–20B.LeagueEast 5th411922.46313-
2020–21B.LeagueEast 7th592831.47520.5-
2021–22B.LeagueEast 5th543123.5749Lost in First Round to Ryukyu202.000
TotalsBj League310188122.606322012.625
TotalsB.League274113161.412202.000
TotalsB.League260546.900532.600

Team statistics

Year Lg GP MP FG(%) 3P(%) FT(%) RPG APG SPG BPG PPG OPPG
2010–11 bj 5010050.414.324.620 49.315.55.82.079.484.3
2011–12 bj 5210425.408.323.66937.315.68.02.273.880.2
2012–13 bj 5210475.415.334.62033.415.86.82.577.476.9
2013–14 bj 5210475.457.354.69240.019.47.13.090.281.1
2014–15 bj 5210475.484.375.67938.820.37.14.189.277.1
2015–16 bj 5210475.462.359.69246.319.77.43.183.975.9
2016–17 B1 6012150.425.342.68437.512.16.31.970.474.3
2017–18 B2 6012000.437.339.63140.720.611.9 3.580.067.7
2018–19 B1 6012025.421.307.69636.818.38.22.971.378.2
2019–20 B1 418200.430.306.71135.819.19.73.075.573.9
2020–21 B1 5911875.435.319.69635.520.7 9.14.077.578.1
2021–22 B1 5410850.446.378 .75136.120.7 8.92.778.775.7
Happinets in 2014

Other honors and titles

Tohoku Cup

  • Champions (5): 2012, 2013, 2016, 2021, 2022

Tohoku Early Cup

  • Champions (2): 2017, 2019

Head coaches

Years Coach Record
2010–2011 United States Bob Pierce 18–32
2011–2014 Japan Kazuo Nakamura 94-62
2014–2017 Japan Makoto Hasegawa 94–70
2017–2019 Spain Josep Clarós 71-49
2019–present Japan Kenzo Maeda 47-53
2010–present Total 354-266

Assistant coaches

Uniforms

Cheerleading squad

Happinets Cheer Dance Team
Akita Northern Happinets Cheer Dance Team
Formation2010-present
DirectorMineko Abe
AffiliationsHappinets Cheer Dance Team
Membership9
WebsiteCheer homepage

The Akita Northern Happinets Cheer Dance Team are the official B.League Cheerleading squad representing Happinets. The group performs at CNA Arena Akita, the home court of the Happinets. The squad also has a "Junior Cheer School Programme", for young women aged 5–12.[28]

Director

Instructor

  • Aimi Sukagawa

Members

  • Ikumi
  • So
  • Nene
  • Yumi
  • Kanon
  • Nanami
  • Rio
  • Shiho
  • Jr-Rio

Source:[30]

Mascot

Bicky

Bicky is the official mascot of the Akita Northern Happinets. The Frog wears #82 and is able to slam-dunk. He is 182 cm tall and weighs 82 kg.[31] Happinets introduced a new mascot Rana, Bicky's girl friend, on June 26, 2020.[32] University HOSP man is the unofficial mascot.

Arenas & Facilities

Akita International University Suda Hall

The Happinets play their home games at CNA Arena Akita, their home since 2016. During their time in the bj league, the Happinets played their home games at the Akita Prefectural Gymnasium. Another home, Nices Arena is an indoor sporting arena located in Yurihonjo. A new prefectural gymnasium will be built in 2026.[33] The team has practice facilities at the Akita Northern Gate Square, Akita Bank Gymnasium, Akita Xerox Sports Square and Akita International University Suda Hall.[34] They also build muscle at Varsity Weight Room in Yabase, Akita.[35]　Happinets players love to take spa at Youland Hotel Yabase in Akita.[36] (Tattooed players have special privileges to take a bath.)

"Crazy Pink" phenomenon

Crazy Pinks at Ariake Coliseum

The Happinets fans are widely known as "Crazy Pink" and sometimes have overwhelming numbers at the visitors games.[37][38][39] The hoop-crazed fans light up arena with "Bigabiga", pink glow sticks and sing the prefectural anthem before the game.[40] The Happinets home court rocks with another stadium anthem "Fly Again" by Man with a Mission, and CNA Arena Akita is one of the hottest and loudest basketball venues in Asia.[41][42][43] The Akita Airport limousine buses have the painted images of the Happinets and Blaublitz Akita.[44]

Kit

Emcee Hisato Hoizumi

Manufacturer

Year Manufacturer
2010–2012
Gambax
2012–2014
Bull Fight
2014–2016
Mizuno
2016–2020
Under Armour
2020–present
Fila

Average regular season home game attendance

Media

Radio

The Happinets players' talk show is aired occasionally on ABS.[45] The Happinets don't have any play-by-play radio broadcasting.

Programs

  • ABS - Akita wo sakebe Northern Happinets
  • ABS - Nantettatte Nichiyou ha Sports
  • ABS - Kosaka Rika no Cheer Happinets
  • FM Akita - Weekly Northern Happinets (Takashi Hatakeyama)
  • FM Hanabi - Uchiagero Go! Go! Akita Northern Happinets!!

Television

SoftBank Group Corp. is estimated to have invested over ¥12 billion to get the broadcasting rights of B.League in 2016.[46] The Happinets home game broadcasters are Toshifumi Takeshima (Akita Television, play-by-play announcer) and Hiroyuki Chida (JR Akita Peckers).

Programs

  • AAB - Go Happinets!

References

  1. ↑ "チームプロフィール".
  2. ↑ Suzuki, Norihiko (5 September 2018). "Greetings from the President's Office - The Ability to Continue Growing your Dream" (PDF).
  3. ↑ "Value Sight - 秋田初の"おらほ" のプロチーム誕生" (PDF). Future Sight (in Japanese). 2012. pp. 14 & 15.
  4. ↑ Nagatsuka, Kaz (31 July 2015). "First wave of teams allocated for new hoop league". JapanTimes.co.jp. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  5. ↑ "秋田でプロバスケ参入、全国屈指の人気に ゼロから始まった挑戦". 30 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "名寄地区バスケットボール協会 - 秋田ノーザンハピネッツ 大塚裕土選手 2013-2014応援特設サイト".
  7. ↑ "長谷川誠ヘッドコーチ退任のお知らせ".
  8. ↑ "能代工業高校バスケットボール部・栄光の軌跡".
  9. ↑ "あきた（通巻12号） 1963年（昭和38年）5月1日発行 -全64ページ-". common3.pref.akita.lg.jp.
  10. ↑ Kato, Kiyotaka; Yeh, Tsung-Ming (2009). "The Impact of the Proposed Professional Basketball Club on Akita Economy". Journal of Japan Society of Sports Industry (in Japanese). 19 (1): 67–73. doi:10.5997/sposun.19.67. S2CID 110022205.
  11. ↑ "みんなでタスキをつなぐ！! - （財）秋田県総合公社ブログ：楽天ブログ".
  12. ↑ "島根、宮崎のbjリーグ新規加入が決定＝河内コミッショナー、新規加入チーム代表コメント".
  13. ↑ "大場 清悦 氏にインタビュー" (PDF) (in Japanese).
  14. ↑ "秋田ノーザンハピネッツ".
  15. ↑ "長谷川 誠｜アスリート・文化人・指導者｜スポーツビズ".
  16. ↑ "bjリーグドラフト会議 2010 指名選手のお知らせ" [Announcement of players drafted at the 2010 bj league draft] (in Japanese). 8 June 2010. Archived from the original on 2016-09-27. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  17. ↑ "[mixi]秋田の件と、特集番組について - プロバスケットボール 仲西 淳 | mixiコミュニティ". mixi.
  18. ↑ "Bjリーグ".
  19. ↑ Odeven, Ed (21 January 2012). "Happinets cut Terry following arrest". Japan Times. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  20. ↑ "Bリーグ：ハピネッツ来季2部降格 選手、ファン悔し涙".
  21. ↑ "【報告】秋田市B1昇格報告会および秋田県知事・秋田市長への表敬訪問をおこないました。".
  22. ↑ "秋田）ハピネッツ、連敗脱出 14日勝てば残留：朝日新聞デジタル". 13 April 2019.
  23. ↑ "【前田顕蔵ヘッドコーチ】契約合意のお知らせ".
  24. ↑ "Tdk株式会社様と2019-20シーズンユニフォームパートナー契約合意のお知らせ".
  25. ↑ "Club".
  26. ↑ "Sunrockers split series with Northern Happinets; Jets-Brex canceled after game official has fever". 15 March 2020.
  27. ↑ "弊クラブスタッフに関する事実報告および処分について". 秋田ノーザンハピネッツ.
  28. ↑ "チアダンススクール".
  29. ↑ "スタッフ".
  30. ↑ "チアダンスチームメンバー".
  31. ↑ "マスコットキャラクター".
  32. ↑ "新マスコットキャラクタ—ラーナちゃんお披露目記者会見 実施のお知らせ". 秋田ノーザンハピネッツ.
  33. ↑ "「まずはCS」NH選手らBリーグ開幕控え決意". 22 September 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  34. ↑ "秋田銀行頭取湊屋隆夫様にお話を伺いました". 10 Feb 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  35. ↑ "Varsity Weight Room". 7 October 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  36. ↑ Mizumachi, Ryosuke (7 December 2012). "オワリはじまり". Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  37. ↑ Shimane, Jun (13 September 2016). "秋田・田口が開幕相手栃木・田臥と舌戦応酬". Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  38. ↑ "Crazy Pinkに染まれ". 22 September 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  39. ↑ "盛り上がる秋田ブースター". YouTube. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  40. ↑ "20160501バスケ秋田対福島秋田県民歌斉唱". YouTube. 1 May 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  41. ↑ "本日11/4（土）の #フライアゲイン". 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  42. ↑ "20170218バスケBリーグ秋田ノーザンハピネッツ 『Fly Again』". YouTube. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  43. ↑ "ターナースチィールからダンクからのフライアゲイン♪d=(^o^)=b". YouTube. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  44. ↑ "ハピネッツとブラウブリッツのリムジンバス". 29 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  45. ↑ "秋田ヲ叫べノーザンハピネッツ". 30 August 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  46. ↑ Nagatsuka, Kaz (19 September 2016). "B. League chairman heralds new era". Retrieved 19 September 2016.
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