Hiroshima Dragonflies: The B.League’s Cinderella Champions
Hiroshima Dragonflies: The B.League’s Cinderella Champions
Promoted from the second tier in 2019, written off as underdogs, and then — in their first-ever playoff appearance — champions of Japan, by toppling the mighty Ryukyu Golden Kings. This is one of the best stories in Japanese basketball.
The Hiroshima Dragonflies pulled off one of Japanese basketball’s great upsets. Only promoted from the second-tier B2 in 2019, they reached their first-ever B.League playoffs in 2023–24 as a wildcard — and won the whole thing, beating the favoured Ryukyu Golden Kings 2–1 in the Finals for their first championship. Guard Ryo Yamazaki was named Finals MVP. A genuine fairytale — and a ticket to continental basketball.
1. Who the Dragonflies are
Underdogs who refused to read the script.
The Hiroshima Dragonflies represent Hiroshima in western Japan. They were only promoted from the second-tier B2 League in 2019 — a mid-table top-flight side for several seasons before everything clicked in 2023–24.1
2. The fairytale run
It was a slow build then a sprint: the Dragonflies won 19 of their final 24 regular-season games to grab a wildcard playoff spot — their first ever. From there they kept winning, and in the Finals they beat the heavily-favoured Ryukyu Golden Kings 2–1 to lift their first B.League title. Guard Ryo Yamazaki was named Finals MVP.1
3. What it meant
The title carried Hiroshima into continental basketball, qualifying them for Asia’s elite club competition (the EASL) the following season — the reward for a season no one outside Hiroshima saw coming.1
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Promoted to the top flight from B2 |
| 2023–24 | First-ever playoffs → champions (beat Ryukyu 2–1) |
| 2024–25 | Into the East Asia Super League as champions |
4. Why they matter
- They’re the great upset. Underdogs to champions in a single season.
- They beat the best. Toppling Ryukyu in the Finals is no small thing.
- They show the league is open. Proof that in the B.League, anyone can win.
In five lines
- The Hiroshima Dragonflies were promoted from B2 in 2019.
- In 2023–24 they reached their first-ever playoffs as a wildcard.
- They won the B.League title, beating the favoured Ryukyu Golden Kings 2–1.
- Ryo Yamazaki was named Finals MVP; the title sent them to the EASL.
- ⚠ Standings and rosters change each season — confirm the latest.
The team that shocked Japan
Plan a B.League game and explore the league’s top clubs.
Sources & notes
- Hiroshima Dragonflies — first B.League title 2023–24 (beat Ryukyu 2–1; Ryo Yamazaki Finals MVP); promoted from B2 in 2019; EASL 2024–25. EASL · Wikipedia
A club profile dated 8 June 2026. The title run is settled record; standings and rosters change — confirm against official B.League / club sources.
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📅 更新履歴
| 日付 | 変更内容 |
|---|---|
| 2026年6月11日 | 初回公開 |
✅ ファクト再検証
最終検証日：2026年6月11日
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