The Hiroshima Dragonflies (in Japanese: 広島ドラゴンフライズ) are a professional basketball team based in Hiroshima, Japan. In October 2014 they commenced competing in the Western Conference of the Japanese National Basketball League.[1] In September 2016 they joined the B.League, the NBL's successor league, and currently play in the first division's Western Conference. The Dragonflies have won the B.League championship once, in 2024.[2]
History
Foundation
In April 2014, following the announcement that the former Japan Basketball League would be restructured as the National Basketball League, a group was launched to support the formation of a professional basketball team in Hiroshima.[3] In May 2014 the group received support from the prefectural basketball association [4] and an application to join the NBL was submitted in July.[5] In August 2014 the application was approved[6] and the name Hiroshima Dragonflies was decided.[7] In October 2014 an operating company Hiroshima Dragonflies Corporation (株式会社広島ドラゴンフライズ) was established.
Championship (2024)
On May 29, 2024, the Dragonflies won their first-ever B1 League championship after they defeated the Ryukyu Golden Kings 2–1 in the finals.[2]
Team
Head coach
The inaugural head coach of the Dragonflies was Kenichi Sako, a former Japanese national player. It was the first coaching role for Sako, who was known as "Mr. Basketball" during his playing career that ended in 2011.[8]
The team has not been able to retain a coach during the 2017–2018 season, and players have been filling in to the team's detriment.
