American-Style Basketball
blended with the culture and knowledge gained through
the coaching giants in Japan.
ABOUT ELITUS ACADEMY
Teaching more than 19,000 basketball players since 2011 !
Elitus means "Elite" + "Us", which equates to all of us becoming elite; which is quite the opposite connotation of the word Elitist. At Elitus we believe that there is strength in pulling together and uplifting everyone around us.
The goal of Elitus Academy basketball is to spread the game of basketball in Japan and to serve as a coaching service that help raise the level of play for players that aspire to be "Elite".
Elitus was founded by Jo Kurino, a 15-year veteran of the Japanese Pro leagues. Jo founded the academy while a player for Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins Nagoya and started holding training sessions and clinics in the greater Nagoya metropolitan area. The primary goal was to combine American and Japanese style of basketball with a fun twist.
focuses its attention on planting the root of the game in Nagoya and Okinawa, we accept the challenge of making its students better while enjoying the game. We believe in thinking globally where Japan and the world can unite.,
Elitus has successfully taught more than 17,000 players through school instruction, clinics, private lessons and providing coaching support to many school basketball programs. In 2016, Japanese basketball encountered a renaissance through the birth of the B.League and there is no doubt that the game will continue to grow since it is already the 2nd most played sport in the country.
THE DIRECTOR
Teaching more than 19,000 basketball players since 2011 !
Elitus Basketball Academy was founded by Jo Kurino, a 15-year veteran of the Japanese Professional leagues. Jo founded the academy while a player for Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins Nagoya (now known as Diamond Dolphins Nagoya) and started holding training sessions and clinics in the greater Nagoya Metropolitan area. The primary goal was to combine the American and Japanese styles of basketball with a fun twist, with English instruction.
Kurino arrived in Japan in 2003, as he debuted with the OSG Phoenix (now San-En Neo Phoenix) of the Japan Basketball League (JBL). During his career, he was selected to the All-Star Game and has been selected on the All-Domestic player's team on Asia-Basket.com. In 2005, Kurino become the first-ever selection of the inaugural Basketball Japan (BJ) League Draft, which marked the beginning of an all-professional league in Japan.
Although he missed out on a couple of opportunities to secure a Championship, Kurino has contributed to helping the Hiroshima Dragonflies finish as runner-ups (the franchise's best finish ever) in the All-Japan Emperor's Cup; in it the franchises' expansion season (Japanese basketball record). He also helped The Shimane Susanoo Magic finish as runner-ups in the B2 League and gain promotion to the B1 League. In Kurino's final B.League campaign, he helped lead The Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya team to its first-ever 2018 B2 Central Division Title and Playoff appearance. Kurino also has experience in the 3x3 circuit by playing in the Xebio Sports-sponsored 3x3.EXE Premier pro leagues.
Kurino started working on acquiring coaching certifications during his playing career and now possesses a JBA Class-A License; which allows him to coach at the Japanese Pro ranks, and a USA Basketball Youth Development Gold License. Kurino is also a registered coach for AAU and holds certifications with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA).
Aside from overseeing the operations of the Academy, Kurino is also an assistant basketball coach for the Shinshu Brave Warriors team in the B.League (B1 Division). Kurino's accolades include contributing to the Brave Warrior's 2019-2020 season B2 Central Conference Title, 1st place regular-season finish, and the team' promotion to the B1 League.
What We Teach
1
「上手くなりたい」を熱血支援！
We will teach pro basketball skills for the player that wants to take their game to the next level. There are players that are aiming to become pro and then there are players that want to raise their playing time with their respective teams. Due to the lack of individual instruction, it's not rare to see players get left behind.
Better players help the team improve as a whole. From such of point-of-view, Elitus places an emphasis to help players achieve their goals.
2
青少年・児童の育成と運動量増進
The level exercise by youth has decreased in the modern age. And based on many people's youth, the number of children with obesity has also increased.
We at Elitus work to increase the level of exercise through basketball. We also work to provide an environment to develop mental strength and social interaction.
3
スポーツで地域をつなげる
Elitus Academy understands the importance of community outreach and community service. We have history hosted sports-related tournaments and events to uplift the local community and also encourage our athletes to serve the community. We also teach self-sufficiency and life-skills through the game of basketball. We will development not only the athlete but also the person.
4
部活・練習場所減小をカバーします
Improvement at a certain skill takes hours and hours of training. It is said that it takes about 24 hours of practice to master a craft. It is also said that it takes about 10,000 repetitions in regards to muscle memory. Elitus Academy works to provide an environment where an athlete can get the individual repetitions to improve. Also, with more and more youth sports progra