User:Frenchfry1998/Jo Kurino

Jo Kurino（Born July 28, 1980）is a former professional basketball player and coach born in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. He is currently an Assistant Coach with the Shinshu Brave Warriors in B.League Japan.

He was active as a professional basketball player between 2003-2018 and retired after playing the B.LEAGUE 2017-2018 season with Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya. He played the forward position.

Aside from being a professional basketball player and coach, is also president of his own company, which includes a basketball school, web marketingservice, and apparel businesses.

History
Kurino's father was a former American sailor working aboard the now-retired USS Midway, which was forward deployed in Yokosuka Naval Base. Kurino was born to a Japanese mother in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture (other sources say Fussa City in Tokyo), moved to California due to family reasons, returned to Yokosuka when he was 3 years old, and then again returned to the United States to live in the Washington, D.C. area. .

Kurino started playing basketball at 13 years old. . He was part of the Northwestern High School (Hyattsville, Maryland) basketball program, and was the team captain. . The team's varsity team was Maryland state runner-up in 1996. In 1998, Kurino moved on to the University of Mount Olive basketball program that won the NCAA Division II CVAC Conference regular season title.He also experienced working as a graphic designer for a year after graduating college. .

In 2003, he returned to Japan to sign a pro contract with OSG Phoenix (now San-En Neo Phoenix) basketball team in the JBL. He was selected as a JBL Super League All-Star; yet was moved to a reserve role. .

In 2005, Kurino became the historic 1st overall selection in the inaugural bj league draft by the Oita Heatdevils (now Ehime Orange Vikings). In August 2005, He is accepted into the George Washington University Graduate School of Business. He also worked as Oita's business consultant from beginning in 2006 until his departure from the organization.

In February 2007, Kurino transfers to Tokyo Apache, in exchange for Taketo Aoki, consummating the bj league's first-ever player-for-player trade.

He returned to Oita for the 2007-2008 season, and left the team after the end of the season.

In 2007, Kurino establishes Elitus Corporation.The company initially specialized in sports management, apparel design, and graphic design businesses.

In 2008, Kurino transferred to Nagoya Diamond Dolphins. .

In December 2011, Kurino graduates from George Washington University Graduate School with a Master's degree in Tourism Administration (Sports Management).

In May 2011, Kurino establishes Elitus Basketball Academy, which promotes the game of basketball and other sports that are considered minor in Japan.

In September 2011, Kurino transferred to Levanga Hokkaido, which was transitioning under new ownership after its original franchise, Rera Kamuy Hokkaido folded. He was a much-valued inside player, and helped Levanga finish with its best season in franchise history.

In September 2013, Kurino transferred to NBL expansion franchise Kumamoto Volters. . He served as the team's vice captain and excelled as a starter. However, in February 2014, he is sidelined after tearing is medial collateral ligament.

In July 2014, Kurino transferred to NBL expansion franchise Hiroshima Dragonflies. He was recruited by assistant coach Atsushi Ono ,with expectations as a player with veteran experience, along with being the team translator. In the 2014-2015 season, Hiroshima finishes second in the All-Japan Emperor's Cup Championship, becoming the first-ever expansion franchise in Japan to accomplish such feat. .

In July 2016, the NBL and bj League merges to formulate the B.League. Kurino transferred to Shimane Susanoo Magic in the B2 Division. As a Japanese starting forward, he helped lead the team to the B2 Western Conference title, B2 Finalist finish, and Shimane's promotion to the B1 Division.

In July 2017, Kurino transferred to Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the B2 Central Conference. . He contributed as an interior mainstay for Nagoya's B2 Central Conference title. He announced his retirement during the middle of the season. . He ended his playing career at the end of the 2017-2018 season. He become affectionately known as the "Title Mercenary" towards the end of his career.

In September 2018, he serves as Assistant Coach for Zion Christian Academy's girl's high school basketball team.

In March 2019, Kurino joined OKINAWA72.EXE, an Okinawa, Japan based 3x3 professional basketball team in the Japanese 3x3.EXE PREMIER circuit. The club announced that it signed Kurino with the expectation of Kurino being a "pillar-like presence" for the team. .

In August 2019, Kurino joins B.League 2018-2019 season B2 Division Champion Shinshu Brave Warriors as an Assistant Coach. In a press conference, Shinshu head coach Michael Katsuhisa said, "I have worked with him [Kurino] in Shimane so I know his character. I can trust him and his bright personality will be a plus to the team. He is also wonderful as a translator".

Reference
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Related Categories

 * List of Japanese Basketball Players
 * List of Hamamatsu-Higashimikawa Phoenix Players
 * List of Oita Heat Devils players
 * List of Tokyo Apache Players
 * List of Levanga Hokkaido Players