One of the most striking headlines leading up to the start of the 2025–26 season was Antoine Brizard joining the OSAKA BLUTEON.
Bartosz Kurek has also returned to Japan, and the courts are more hyped than ever.

*Statistics referenced in the articles are based on data available as of December 25, 2025. 

Antoine Brizard (FRA)

In the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games final in Tokyo when Antoine Brizard brought up match point against Russia with a one-handed fake set winner, French star Earvin Ngapeth looked at his coach and said, “He is crazy.” It was an audacious play at such a critical time in such a critical match. They say madness and genius are never far apart, but on that day Brizard displayed genius to help bring France its first Olympic gold medal in volleyball. The second came at home in 2024. Brizard has been described as the best volleyball player in the world, a 196-cm setter with all the attributes – and more – of any other player. He can serve, he can spike, he can defend and, more than anything, he can set like no other. So, it was a massive coup for OSAKA BLUTEON to secure his services for this season after four years in Italy. He has guided France to two Olympic gold medals and two Nations League titles and been awarded France’s highest civilian award – the Légion d'Honneur – but he has had less success at club level. OSAKA B will be hoping that he is the key to winning the SV.LEAGUE Championship after last year’s disappointment in the Finals. OSAKA B are currently fighting it out at the top of the table with SUNTORY SUNBIRDS OSAKA and Brizard could prove to be the difference for the OSAKA B at the end of the season.

Ricardo Lucarelli (BRA)

Ricardo Lucarelli has made a solid impression on his team JTEKT STINGS AICHI since he joined them in 2024, but despite his contributions, the team failed at the final hurdle last season, losing the Championship final 2-0 to SUNTORY SUNBIRDS OSAKA. The 33-year-old Brazilian brings great experience to the team as one of the best outside hitters of his generation. He has been named Best Outside Spiker in the Olympic Games (in 2016, when Brazil won in Rio de Janeiro), in the World Championship (2014), in the World League (three times) and in the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in 2017, when he was also named the Most Valuable Player. His influence on his teammates is huge. “His passionate performance and strong mindset have made a massive impact on the team,” teammate Daigo Iwamoto said. At 33, Lucarelli retains his powerful athleticism and has a soft spot for volleyball in Japan. “I think Japanese fans are the most passionate out of all the countries I’ve seen,” he says. “I like that the arena is buzzing with energy. The mood is very entertaining.”

Bartosz Kurek (POL)

While Bartosz Kurek has said it’s hard to keep up with younger players, it never shows on court. The 37-year-old Polish superstar can still destroy younger teams and younger players with his intense and powerful game, whether it’s with the Polish national team, which he captains, or Tokyo Great Bears, who he joined for the current SV.LEAGUE season. As an added bonus, his wife, Anna, is playing for Tokyo Sunbeams, a V.LEAGUE team, and is having a good season herself. The 205-cm Kurek can still dominate a game and is currently averaging 20 points per match, despite the Tokyo GB’s mediocre season (a 5-7 record in their first 12 games). However, Volleyball World named him Player of the Week in November after he led the Tokyo GB to two strong wins over HIROSHIMA THUNDERS, with Kurek scoring 29 in the first match (for which he was named MVP) and 20 points in the second match. He’s been described as a fine wine – getting better as he grows older. There’s still plenty left in the tank for the Polish giant.

Torey Defalco (USA)

You can catch volleyball commentators laughing at Torey Defalco – not because he’s a source of humor, but because they can’t believe some of the plays he comes up with, from thunderous spikes to windmill hits and even pirouetting backhanders. Defalco not only backs up his supreme athleticism with intelligence, he smothers his plays with a brilliant helping of imagination. He describes himself as “serious” and you can sense his intensity the way he plays. He’s not laughing. He’s playing hard. He averaged 20 points per game last season and is averaging 22 points per game this season. Such a supreme talent could play anywhere, but he’s chosen the SV. LEAGUE, a place that suits his intensity and his constant hunger to improve. “The biggest difference here is the ability to do the whole sport,” he says. “Everybody here can pass and play defense, everybody can set. They’re faster than a lot of the world and their ball control is insane. It’s pretty ridiculous and I think that everybody in the world should experience playing volleyball in Japan once in their life. I think it’s my favorite country in the world to travel to.”