Name Makoto Hasegawa | ||
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Makoto Hasegawa (長谷川誠, born 2 April 1971) is a Japanese basketball coach and a former player. Hasegawa was the head coach of Akita Northern Happinets. He is the first Japanese player ever to play in the American Basketball Association. Because of his trademark bushy goatee, his nickname is "hige" in Akita. He currently plays for Kosei Club and Akita Northern Bisons as an amateur in his home prefecture.
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San Diego Wildfire
In 2000 Hasegawa signed with the San Diego Wildfire, but the Japanese Jordan suffered from dirty uniforms and undelivered checks. SDW never had a single telecast or radio broadcast, a team that one night drew only 236 fans to the Sports Arena. The team's trainer, equipment manager, and cheerleaders all left and the club folded in disgrace in 2001. Former NBA players, LaSalle Thompson and Dane Suttle served as head coach.