San-en NeoPhoenix has appointed Sasaki Ryusei (佐々木隆成) as captain and Tsuya Ikkyu (津屋一球) as vice-captain for the 2026-27 season. The opening game will be against the Ibaraki Robots on 25 September, followed by 14 consecutive road games.
San-en NeoPhoenix announced that Sasaki Ryusei (佐々木隆成) had been appointed captain and Tsuya Ikkyu (津屋一球) vice-captain for the 2026-27 season. Sasaki Ryusei (佐々木隆成) will serve as captain for four consecutive seasons from the 2023-24 season. Sasaki Ryusei (佐々木隆成), 30, is from Yamaguchi Prefecture and plays for San-en as a 180-centimetre, 77-kilogram point guard and shooting guard. He has also been selected for the Japan national team and is expected to be involved in the Asian qualifiers again this season.
Tsuya Ikkyu (津屋一球), 28, is from Aomori Prefecture and is a 190-centimetre, 90-kilogram shooting guard. He joined San-en as a specially designated player and, after returning from the Sunrockers Shibuya, will represent San-en again this season. As vice-captain, he commented on helping move the team in a positive direction and called on the fans to support them.
This season’s opening game will be against the Ibaraki Robots on 25 September at Adastria Mito Arena. Due to the Asian Games, the team will play 14 consecutive road games from the start of the season, with its home opener scheduled for 4 December against Levanga Hokkaido at Toyohashi City General Gymnasium.