Kawasaki Brave Thunders Appoints Dai Oketani as New Head Coach

Kawasaki Brave Thunders is pleased to announce that Dai Oketani has been appointed as the Head Coach for the 2026-27 season.

Coach Oketani is a leader who knows how to win better than anyone, having guided his teams to the Finals for five consecutive years despite the intensifying and rapidly changing competition across the league. He will also assume the heavy responsibility of head coach for the Japan men's national basketball team starting in 2026. Furthermore, he boasts an outstanding ability to dramatically rebuild and elevate many of the clubs he has coached in his very first year of appointment.

Tactically, he builds on a solid inside game centered around rebounding, and creates a cohesive offense that moves the ball as a team while maximizing the strengths of the roster.

His philosophy, which demands that every player works hard for the full 40 minutes without hesitating to make self-sacrifices, deeply resonates with Kawasaki's goals of "TEAM BASKETBALL" and "BE BRAVE," leading to his appointment as head coach. We expect him to instill a winning culture through autonomy and symbiosis, unleash the potential of young players, and lead Kawasaki to the next stage.

Dai Oketani Head Coach Profile

Date of Birth December 23, 1977

Place of Birth Kyoto Prefecture

Education Kyoto Prefectural Shuzaku High School Arizona State University

Career History 2005-2006: Oita Heat Devils, Assistant Coach 2006-2008: Oita Heat Devils, Head Coach 2008-2012: Ryukyu Golden Kings, Head Coach 2012-2015: Iwate Big Bulls, Head Coach 2015-2018: Osaka Evessa, Head Coach 2018-2021: Sendai 89ERS, Head Coach 2021-2026: Ryukyu Golden Kings, Head Coach

National Team Career 2026- : Japan National Team, Head Coach

Achievements 2006-07: bj-league, 3rd Place 2008-09: bj-league, Champion 2009-10: bj-league, 3rd Place 2010-11: bj-league, Runner-up 2011-12: bj-league, Champion 2014-15: TKbj-league, 4th Place 2021-22: Emperor's Cup, Semifinalist 2021-22: B.League, Runner-up 2022-23: Emperor's Cup, Runner-up 2022-23: B.League, Champion 2023-24: Emperor's Cup, Runner-up 2023-24: B.League, Runner-up 2024-25: Emperor's Cup, Champion 2024-25: B.League, Runner-up 2025-26: EASL, 3rd Place 2025-26: B.League, Runner-up

Comment from Head Coach Oketani "Nice to meet you, Thunders Family. I am Dai Oketani, and I have been appointed as the Head Coach. While inheriting the great culture of the historic Thunders, I want to build a team that connects to the next generation, so let's fight together! Go Thunders⚡️"