The B.LEAGUE Draft 2026 marked a historic milestone for Japanese basketball, with SR Shibuya selecting Yamazaki Issho as the first overall pick, ushering in a new era for the league.
Held on January 29, 2026, at the TOKYO DOME CITY HALL, the inaugural draft featured 23 participating clubs using the Weber method for the first round of selections. The draft process consisted of three distinct phases:
**Phase 1: Youth Priority Negotiation Rights**
Clubs were allowed to negotiate exclusively with their own youth players, with a maximum draft first-round value of 14 million yen.
**Phase 2: B.LEAGUE Draft (Held on January 29, 2026)**
The actual draft took place, including youth players whose priority negotiations had failed in Phase 1.
**Phase 3: Re-negotiation with Youth Players**
Clubs could re-negotiate with their own youth players who were not selected in the draft after failed Phase 1 talks.
The draft system aims to balance talent distribution across the league while fostering youth development. A key feature is the priority negotiation window, which allows clubs to retain homegrown talent before entering the open draft.
Following the draft, SR Shibuya (which later rebranded as Tokyo Sunrockers) successfully signed first-round pick Yamazaki Issho. In a statement, Yamazaki expressed his honor and determination: “I am very honored to join this team. I want to grow through experience and deliver results.”
The 2026 draft also generated widespread interest, with multiple reports analyzing the system’s goals and impact. Notable prospects included college team captains, top high school scorers, and B.LEAGUE youth players, all vying for professional careers.
As the league continues to evolve, the B.LEAGUE Draft 2026 sets a precedent for future player acquisition, emphasizing fairness, youth development, and competitive balance across all divisions.