Rakuten and JUBF Host "World University Basketball Series 2023" in Tokyo This August, Bringing Together World-Class University Teams from Across the Globe

WUBS official site：https://wubseries.com/

Tokyo, May 10, 2023 - Rakuten Group, Inc. and the All Japan University Basketball Federation (JUBF) today announced they will be holding Sun Chlorella’s World University Basketball Series 2023 (WUBS 2023), a champions league-style tournament for world-class university basketball teams.

WUBS 2023 is hosted by JUBF with operation support provided by Rakuten Sports, a Rakuten Group business focused on creating partnerships with professional athletes and other sports services. Held again with presenting partner Sun Chlorella, this year’s tournament marks the second in the series following last year's inaugural WUBS and will be held from August 10 to 13 at the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium. For 2023, an expanded roster of universities will compete, with a total of eight men's university basketball teams from seven countries and regions – Australia, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and the United States.

Tickets for the games are now available for purchase on the official website.

This year’s participating universities are the University of Sydney from Australia, National Chengchi University (NCCU) from Chinese Taipei, Perbanas Institute from Indonesia, the 74th All Japan Intercollegiate Basketball Championship winners Tokai University and runner-up Hakuoh University from Japan, WUBS 2022 champions Ateneo de Manila University from the Philippines, Korea University from South Korea and the United States’ Radford University, which includes Japanese athlete Ibu Yamazaki. The teams will compete in a series of 12 tournament games over three days from August 11 to August 13 to determine the 2023 series champion. In addition, on August 10, an “Opening Night” exhibition game (tentative title) will be held between the Japanese university men's basketball select team (JUBF selection) and WUBS 2022 champions, Ateneo de Manila University.

Naoki Hayashi, president of JUBF and chairman of the World University Basketball Series Executive Committee, commented, “We are delighted to announce the second year of the World University Basketball Series, after last year’s successful inaugural event. I would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped make the tournament happen. This year’s tournament will make for an even more competitive and exciting event with eight universities competing, including one from the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). It Is my great hope that WUBS 2023 will contribute to the further growth of university basketball as well as enhance friendships across each country and region. Pandemic-related restrictions have been relaxed, and I am thrilled at this opportunity for the global basketball community to come together and experience this wonderful tournament.”

Futoshi Nakayama, President & CEO of Sun Chlorella commented, “We are honored to partner with the World University Basketball Series once again this year. The number of competing teams has doubled to eight, and we feel that WUBS’ reach is steadily growing. In addition, WUBS 2022 champions Ateneo University, 74^th All Japan Intercollegiate Basketball Championship winners Tokai University and NCAA Division 1 team Radford University will all be competing – which promises to make this tournament even more gripping than last year. I am eager to welcome many basketball fans to the games.”

Going forward Rakuten Sports and JUBF will continue to empower the next generation of rising athletes through engaging initiatives that unite fans and grow the sport of basketball in markets around the world.

Tom Garlepp, University of Sydney Head Coach, commented, “The opportunity to represent Australian University Basketball and Sydney Uni Basketball at the World University Basketball Series is something that I am personally very grateful for. We are honored to accept this invitation to compete and will do so with great respect for our hosts and opponents, as well as the competitiveness that Australia is known for.”

Chen Tzu-wei, National Chengchi University Head Coach, commented, “We are extremely grateful to be invited again to participate in the World University Basketball Series and are eager to compete against the top university basketball teams from across the world. This is a rare opportunity for us to measure our capabilities with the world’s best, and we are thankful to JUBF and Rakuten Sports for organizing this prestigious tournament and extending the invitation to us. We look forward to demonstrating our talents as champions of Chinese Taipei university basketball and also to learning more about the sport of basketball through interacting with players and coaches from different countries.”

Rachmad Hidayat, Perbanas Institute Head Coach, commented, “I am very excited to be participating in the World University Basketball Series 2023. This is a great benchmark to see where we stand in the world of university basketball and where we can improve, as well as an opportunity to gain experience and make new friends along the way.”

Tomoo Amino, Hakuoh University Head Coach, commented, “We are grateful to be able to compete in the World University Basketball Series 2023. We will do our best to stay true to our style of basketball, building up a steady rhythm that starts with defense, while enjoying the opportunity for international exchange with participating teams. We are going to pour all of our energy into showing the best of basketball to the fans at WUBS 2023, so please give us your full support.”

Akira Rikukawa, Tokai University Head Coach, commented, “We are extremely honored to be able to compete in the World University Basketball Series for the second time. I don’t think there has ever been a tournament in the past where the world’s leading universities gather on Japanese soil to decide on a champion. Our entire team is determined to make the most of this excellent opportunity and have the best experience possible. We hope fans will come to the venue and lend us their support. Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to JUBF and Rakuten Sports for holding this tournament and to Sun Chlorella for serving as the title sponsor.”

Tab Baldwin, Ateneo de Manila University Head Coach, commented, “The Blue Eagles are excited to return to the World University Basketball Series in 2023. We will have a very new roster so the experience of international basketball and the chance to bust Japan again makes WUBS one of the most exciting events on our 2023 calendar.”

Joo Hee-jung, Korea University Head Coach, commented, “I would like to congratulate the hosts for organizing the World University Basketball Series for the second year, despite the difficulties brought on by the pandemic. I am delighted and honored that our university will be representing Korea in the tournament. As representatives of Korean university basketball, Korea University is proud to be the 2021 and 2022 university league champions. With a long-standing history and rich tradition, we are the most successful institute for producing professional basketball players in Korea. I am sure that partaking in WUBS 2023 will be a formative experience for our student-athletes who can measure their skills against top international competitors, and I am hopeful that every team involved in the tournament will develop and grow during the event.”

Darris Nichols, Radford University Head Coach, commented, “It is an honor to be invited to compete in the World University Basketball Series 2023. This will be a tremendous opportunity for us to learn and grow both on and off of the court.”

Tournament name: Sun Chlorella presents World University Basketball Series 2023
Tournament host: All Japan University Basketball Federation (JUBF)
Tournament organizing committee: World University Basketball Series Organizing Committee
Tournament operation support: Rakuten Sports
Date: Thursday, August 10 to Sunday, August 13, 2023
Venue: Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium (Tokyo, Shibuya Ward, Jinnan 2-1-1)
Format: Tournament system
Number of games: 13 games in total (1 exhibition game, 12 tournament games)

Opening Night (tentative title)
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Exhibition game between the Japanese university men's basketball select team (JUBF selection) and WUBS 2022 champions, Ateneo de Manila University.
Schedule:
16:45: Doors open
19:00: Exhibition game starts between the Japanese university men's basketball select team (JUBF selection) and Ateneo de Manila University

Round 1
Friday, August 11, 2023
10:15: Doors open
11:00: Game 1 – Tokai University (Japan) vs National Chengchi University (Chinese Taipei)
13:30: Game 2 – Korea University (South Korea) vs Radford University (United States)
16:00: Game 3 – Perbanas Institute (Indonesia) vs Hakuoh University (Japan)
18:30: Game 4 – University of Sydney (Australia) vs Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines)

Semi-finals, playoffs
Saturday, August 12, 2023
10:15: Doors open
11:00: Game 5 – Game 1 losers vs Game 2 losers
13:30: Game 6 – Game 3 losers vs Game 4 losers
16:00: Semifinal 1 (Game 7) – Game 1 winners vs Game 2 winners
18:30: Semifinal 2 (Game 8) – Game 3 winners vs Game 4 winners

Finals, playoffs
Sunday, August 13, 2023
10:15: Doors open
11:00: 7th place playoff (Game 9) – Game 5 losers vs Game 6 losers
13:30: 5th place playoff (Game 10) – Game 5 winners vs Game 6 winners
16:00: 3rd place playoff (Game 11) – Game 7 losers vs Game 8 losers
18:30: Final (Game 12) – Game 7 winners vs Game 8 winners
*Schedule subject to change.

Participating teams: University of Sydney (Australia), National Chengchi University (Chinese Taipei), Perbanas Institute (Indonesia), Hakuoh University (Japan), Tokai University (Japan), Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines), Korea University (South Korea) and Radford University (United States)
Competition rules and regulations: In accordance with FIBA competition rules
Broadcast rights: NBA Rakuten, the one-stop destination for fans in Japan to watch NBA (National Basketball Association) games and programming
*Broadcast media may be added in the future.
For inquiries about tickets: com-ticket-wubs@mail.rakuten.com
For inquiries about the tournament: com-wubs@mail.rakuten.com

Rakuten Sports is a Rakuten Group service that focuses on creating partnerships built on shared values with professional sports teams, athletes, brands and rights-holders. For more information visit
https://biz.sports.rakuten.net/

The All Japan University Basketball Federation is an organization whose purpose is to strengthen, promote and grow university basketball in Japan. JUBF is also a member of the Japan Basketball Association and the University Sports Association. As of today, the federation has 352 men's teams and 293 women's teams registered. The student federations in Japan are divided into nine districts, with each student federation overseeing university basketball in its respective district.

Sun Chlorella is a health food company that expands the sales activity of “Chlorella” products primarily around the world. Chlorella is a green algae and contains over 60 kinds of nutrients and components which are essential for your body, including good quality of plant-based protein, Vitamins, Minerals, Amino acids, and so on. Sun Chlorella “A” Powder which obtained anti-doping certification has been named The Official Superfood of the Brooklyn Nets, a professional basketball team in the U.S., by growing awareness for the nutritional components of chlorella. Many athletes take Sun Chlorella “A” Powder for their body condition. Sun Chlorella is dedicated to discovering and training up young basketball players through chlorella with the “GLOBALLERS project.”
Sun Chlorella official website: https://www.sunchlorella.com/
GLOBALLERS project official website: https://scgloballers.com/