Game Notes: EASL Final Four 2024 Third Place Game – New Taipei Kings vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters

New Taipei or Anyang? Only One Walks Away with a Prize

March 10, 2024 – Hoops Dome, Cebu

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Storylines

New Taipei unphased after close loss to Chiba

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After New Taipei’s defeat against Chiba, Jets forward Xavier Cooks complimented, “Those guys gave us the biggest battle we’ve had this whole league.”

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Despite Jeremy Lin’s injury, his brother Joseph Lin rose to the occasion. New Taipei nearly defeated the undefeated Chiba Jets, and now, anything less than third-place after Friday’s performance would be deemed a failure.

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After earning the respect of Yuki Togashi, Lin will be looking to prove that he belongs in the pantheon of East Asia’s elite guards like Park Ji Hoon and Rhenz Abando.

Rhenz Abando’s fanbase

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Second-year Jung Kwan Jang guard and Gilas Pilipinas star Rhenz Abando put on show for Cebu even as his team lost to the Seoul SK Knights in the semi-finals.

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Abando is still re-acclimating after a nasty injury, but showed his scoring prowess in the semi-finals. He led all bench scorers with 11 points.

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Abando and his teammates will have the extra support of the home crowd in the third-place game.

Who wants it more?

The winner of the consolation finals will walk away with $250,000.

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Anyang has their pride on the line as winners of the 2023 EASL Champions Week, and have a Gilas Pilipinas star playing on home soil.

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New Taipei fell short of winning it all in the EASL. This third-place game, however, prepares them for the P. LEAGUE+, where they currently stand second-place with a 13-10 record. New Taipei is still on the hunt to win their domestic league.
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Players to Watch

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New Taipei Kings

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#1 Joseph Lin – G

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- USA NCAA Division III: Hamilton College (2011-15)

- Chinese Taipei: Taipei Fubon Braves (2015-22)

2x P. LEAGUE+ Champion (Taipei Fubon Braves: 2021, 2022)
2019 SBL Champion (Taipei Fubon Braves)
4x SBL All-Star (2016-2019)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

10.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.5 apg

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ season stats:

13.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 6.0 apg

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#55 Kenny Manigault – F

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- USA NCAA Division I: Wichita State (2009-10)

USA NCAA Division II: USC Aiken (2010-11),
USA NAIA: Pikeville (2011-13)

- Team History:

Australia: NBL1 – Goldfields Giants (2016)
Poland: I Liga – AZS Koszalin (2016-17)
Finland: Korisliiga - Tampereen Pyrintö (2017-19); Helsinki Seagulls (2022)
Asia: ABL – Macau Black Bears (2019-20)
Israel: Israeli National League - Elitzur Yavne B.C. (2020-21)
Canada: CEBL – Fraser Valley Bandits (2021)

- Chinese Taipei: P. LEAGUE+ - New Taipei Kings

2023 P. LEAGUE+ Steals Leader
2023 P. LEAGUE+ All-Second Team
12th player in professional basketball history to record a quadruple-double

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

17.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 4.0 apg

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ season stats:

17.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 6.3 apg, 3.1 spg

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#7 Jeremy Lin – PG

- USA NCAA Division I: Harvard (2006-2010)

2× First-team All-Ivy League (2009, 2010)
2008 Second-team All-Ivy League

- Former NBA player (Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors)

NBA Career Stats: 480 games – 11.6 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.8 rpg, 1.1 spg
NBA: 2019 NBA Champion (Toronto Raptors)
2012 NBA TV Social Breakout Player of the Year

- Former NBA G League player (Reno Bighorns, Erie Bayhawks, Santa Cruz Warriors)

- China: CBA – Beijing Ducks

2020 CBA All-Star

- Chinese Taipei: P. LEAGUE + (Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers, New Taipei Kings)

2023 P. LEAGUE+ Assists Leader (Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers)

- 2012 Time 100: Most Influential People of the Year

- 2012 ESPY Award for Breakthrough Athlete of the Year

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

18.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 6.5 apg

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ season stats:

23.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.3 apg

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Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters

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#4 Robert Carter Jr. – PF

USA NCAA Division I: Georgia Tech (2012-14); Maryland (2015-16)
Career team history:some text
- Italy: Serie A – Enel Brindisi (2016-17)
- Lithuania: LKL – Lietuvos rytas (2017)
- Turkey: TBL – Gaziantep Basketbol (2017-18)
- Turkey: TBSL – Afyon Belediye S.K. (2018-19)
- Japan: B.LEAGUEsome text
  - Shimane Susanoo Magic (2019-20)
  - Yokohama B-Corsairs (2020-21)
  - San-en NeoPhoenix (2021-22)
- Israel: BSL – Bnei Herzliya (2022-23)
- South Korea: KBL – Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (2023-)
EASL 2023-24 Season stats:some text
- 23.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 3.7 apg
2023-24 KBL Stats: some text
- 18.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.1 apg

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#99 Jamil Wilson – SF

USA NCAA Division I: Oregon (2009-10); Marquette (2011-14)
Former NBA player (Los Angeles Clippers)some text
- NBA career stats: 7.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 10 starts
Former NBA D-League/G League player (Bakersfield Jam, Texas Legends, Agua Caliente Clippers, Fort Wayne Mad Ants)
Career team history:some text
- Puerto Rico: BSN – Cangrejeros de Santurce (2016); Piratas de Quebradillas (2022); Vaqueros de Bayamón (2023); Leones de Ponce (2023);
- Italy: Serie A - Auxilium Pallacanestro Torino (2016-17, 2018-19); Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2018); Virtus Roma (2020)
- Russia: VTB United League - UNICS Kazan (2019-20)
- Israel: BSL – Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. (2020-21); Liga Leumit – Maccabi Rishon Lezion (2021-22)
- Mexico: LNBP – Plateros de Fresnillo (2022, 2023)
- Lithuania: LKL – Labas GAS (2022-23)
- Venezuela: SPB – Guaros de Lara (2023)
- Philippines: PBA – Converge FiberXers (2023-24)
- South Korea: KBL – Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (2024-)
EASL 2023-24 Season stats:some text
- 15.5 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 5.5 apg
2023-24 KBL Stats: some text
- 9.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.3 apg

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#6 Park Ji Hoon – PG

University: Chung-Ang Universitysome text
- Korea: 2^nd in KUSF Scoring (2017)
South Korea: KBL

2016 KBL Draft: 6^th overall pick (Busan KT Sonicboom)
Korea: 2x KBL Champion (Anyang KGC: 2020-21, 2022-23)

South Korea National Basketball Teamsome text
- 39th Lee Sang Baek Cup Korea x Japan University Basketball Tournament National Team
- 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade men's Basketball Team
EASL 2023-24 Season stats:some text
- 10.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 5.3 apg
2023-24 KBL Stats: some text
- 12.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.2 apg

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By the Numbers

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New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)

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- Team History:

Founded: 2021
Honors: 2022-23 P. LEAGUE+ runners-up

- 2022-23 P. LEAGUE+ Runners-Up

Regular season record: 27-13
P. LEAGUE+ Regular Season Champions
Playoffs: defeated Dreamers 3-1 in semifinals; lost to Taipei Fubon Braves 4-2 in P. LEAGUE+ Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 4-2

November 8, 2023: 90-72 win over Seoul SK Knights (KBL)
November 27, 2023: 97-92 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)
January 3, 2024: 89-77 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)
January 10, 2024: 67-63 win over Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
January 24, 2024: 90-67 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
January 31, 2024: 89-57 loss against Seoul SK Knights (KBL)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Kenny Manigault – 17.3 ppg
Rebounds: Kenny Manigault – 11.0 rpg
Assists: Jeremy Lin – 5.6 apg
Steals: Kenny Manigault – 3.3 spg
Blocks: Tony Mitchell Jr. – 2.5 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

EASL Final Four 2024 Semifinal vs. Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE) – March 8, 2024

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Season record: 13-10

November 11, 2023: 96-89 win over Taipei Fubon Braves
November 18, 2023: 111-87 win over Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
November 19, 2023: 123-113 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
November 25, 2023: 98-92 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
November 26, 2023: 109-93 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
December 3, 2023: 92-81 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
December 9, 2023: 107-86 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
December 17, 2023: 100-90 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
December 23, 2023: 111-106 win over Taipei Fubon Braves
December 24, 2023: 120-104 loss against Formosa Dreamers
December 30, 2023: 105-98 loss against Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
December 31, 2023: 104-96 loss against Taipei Fubon Braves
January 6, 2024: 93-76 loss against Formosa Dreamers
January 12, 2024: 95-80 win over Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
January 20, 2024: 114-82 win over Formosa Dreamers
January 21, 2024: 110-97 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
January 28, 2024: 94-83 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
February 3, 2024: 91-70 loss against Formosa Dreamers
February 6, 2024: 111-93 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
February 16, 2024: 79-97 loss against Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
February 18, 2024: 112-97 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
February 28, 2024: 88-80 loss against Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
March 2, 2024: 94-87 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

- P. LEAGUE+ 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jeremy Lin – 22.1 ppg
Rebounds: Byron Mullens – 12.0 rpg
Assists: Kenny Manigault – 6.3 apg
Steals: Kenny Manigault – 3.1 spg
Blocks: Quincy Davis – 1.5 bpg

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Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (South Korea – KBL)

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Team History:some text
- Founded: 1992
- EASL Champions Week Champions (2023)
- 4x KBL Champions (2011-12, 2016-17, 2020-21, 2022-23)

2023 KBL Championssome text
- Regular Season: 37-17 record, 1st in KBL
- Playoffs: defeated Goyang Day One Jumpers 3-1 in semifinals; defeated Seoul SK Knights 4-3 in Finals
EASL 2023-24 Season record: 4-2some text
- October 25, 2023: 98-77 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)
- December 6, 2023: 105-97 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)
- December 13, 2023: 102-69 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)
- January 10, 2024: 115-98 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)
- January 24, 2024: 88-76 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)
- February 7, 2024: 84-70 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)
EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders: some text
- Points: Robert Carter Jr. – 23.3 ppg
- Rebounds: Jamil Wilson – 12.0 rpg
- Assists: Jamil Wilson – 5.5 apg
- Steals: Jamil Wilson – 1.5 spg
- Blocks: Jamil Wilson – 3.0 bpg
EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:some text
- Away vs. Seoul SK Knights (KBL) – March 8, 2024
EASL History:some text
- 2023 EASL Champions Week: Braves went 3-0, defeating P. LEAGUE+ side Taipei Fubon Braves 94-69 and PBA side San Miguel Beermen 142-87 in the Group Stage. KGC defeated Seoul SK Knights 90-84 in the Final to win EASL Champions Week.
2023-24 KBL Season record: 14-31some text
- October 21, 2023: 89-74 loss against Seoul SK Knights
- October 28, 2023: 63-59 win over Suwon KT Sonicboom
- October 31, 2023: 86-75 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
- November 2, 2023: 96-74 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
- November 4, 2023: 84-82 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
- November 5, 2023: 91-80 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
- November 7, 2023: 74-72 win over Busan KCC Egis
- November 10, 2023: 99-94 win over Wonju DB Promy
- November 12, 2023: 85-71 win over Changwon LG Sakers
- November 14, 2023: 81-63 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
- November 17, 2023: 106-77 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
- November 19, 2023: 84-74 win over Busan KCC Egis
- November 21, 2023: 98-93 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
- November 24, 2023: 94-85 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
- November 26, 2023: 97-80 loss against Wonju DB Promy
- November 28, 2023: 86-82 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
- December 1, 2023: 108-77 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
- December 3, 2023: 85-71 loss against Seoul SK Knights
- December 9, 2023: 93-78 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
- December 10, 2023: 88-83 loss against Wonju DB Promy
- December 16, 2023: 84-75 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
- December 18, 2023: 91-80 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
- December 22, 2023: 104-75 loss against Busan KCC Egis
- December 24, 2023: 113-85 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
- December 26, 2023: 94-75 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
- December 28, 2023: 85-81 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
- December 30, 2023: 86-68 loss against Seoul SK Knights
- December 31, 2023: 93-86 loss against Wonju DB Promy
- January 2, 2024: 84-80 win over Changwon LG Sakers
- January 4, 2024: 81-70 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
- January 7, 2024: 83-71 loss against Seoul SK Knights
- January 17, 2024: 93-86 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
- January 19, 2024: 86-77 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
- January 21, 2024: 114-90 win over Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
- January 27, 2024: 94-78 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
- January 29, 2024: 108-99 loss against Busan KCC Egis
- February 2, 2024: 81-75 loss against Busan KCC Egis
- February 4, 2024: 99-84 loss against Wonju DB Promy
- February 10, 2024: 84-72 loss against Seoul SK Knights
- February 11, 2024: 90-77 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
- February 13, 2024: 73-60 loss against Seoul Samsung Thunders
- February 15, 2024: 77-66 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
- February 28, 2024: 98-81 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
- March 1, 2024: 97-64 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
- March 3, 2024: 92-87 win over Goyang Sono Skygunners
2023-24 KBL Season stat leaders:

Points: Robert Carter Jr. – 18.4 ppg
Rebounds: Robert Carter Jr. – 7.3 rpg
Assists: Choi Seong Won – 4.3 apg
Steals: Park Ji Hoon – 1.3 spg
Blocks: Rhenz Abando – 0.9 bpg

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