RAISING the bar entering its 11th season, the Japan B.League believes the best way to develop players is to challenge them.
Beginning September 22, 2026, B.League teams will be allowed to field all three of their registered world imports at the same time, a departure from the previous rule that limited the exposure of reinforcements to only two at a time.
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"With the new system of B.League where three imports can play at the same time, we're trying to go a different route from other Asian leagues," B.League executive officer Nao Okamoto shared with SPIN.ph.
"Diversity is very important to the league, and as our players would say, that level makes them stronger as players, too."
Rather than shielding local players from tough competition, the B.League wants them exposed to a higher standard of basketball that, it believes, will ultimately raise the standard of Japanese basketball.
Among their long-term goals is to bring in more former NBA players in Japan, and produce NBA-caliber players like Yuki Kawamura in return.
The rule change comes alongside the launch of a sweeping B.League Innovation that will usher in a new era for the ambitious league beginning in the 2026-27 season.
Under the new structure, the league's 55 clubs have been reorganized into three tiers based on financial revenue and spectatorship - 26 clubs now make up B.League Premier, 25 comprise B.League One, while four teams fall under B.League Next.
The simultaneous changes on and off the court reflect the league's long-term vision of building a stronger and more sustainable competition. That philosophy has also made the B.League an increasingly attractive destination for Filipino talent.
As of this writing, 10 Filipinos are set to suit up in Japan this season: Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Roosevelt Adams, Matthew Wright, Jamie Malonzo, Francis Lopez, and new signing Mike Phillips.
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