Ed Odeven

Ed Odeven is a Tokyo-based veteran sports journalist. His career began in 1990 as a high school student, filing live post-game reports on radio on high school football games in Tucson, Arizona. A graduate of Arizona State University, he previously served as sports editor for ASU's State Press and the Arizona Daily Sun. Odeven was The Japan Times' chief basketball reporter from 2006-20. He also covered the Beijing Olympics and the London Olympics for the daily publication. He has freelanced for dozens of publications and media outlets spanning the globe. Since May 2020, Odeven has worked as English-language website JAPAN Forward's sports editor. "Going 15 Rounds With Jerry Izenberg: A Collection Of Interviews With The Legendary Journalist," which was published in 2020, is his first book. Fellow journalist Robert Lipsyte penned this short review of the book: "Jerry Izenberg is the last wise man standing in a chaotic SportsWorld and this delicious trove of great stories is a welcome celebration of his work and times. Odeven captures the compassionate toughness of a man who could bark and who could cry, whose streetwise insights - often delivered from the side of his mouth - was informed with a humanity and understanding that lifted his readers and his fellow scribes. Bravo, Ed, for the book, thank you, Jerry, for the life." Odeven was born in New York City. Follow his work on Twitter: @ed_odeven