Game Notes: Group B – New Taipei Kings (0-0) vs. Seoul SK Knights (1-1)

Sir Kim Sun Hyung visits New Taipei City in attempt to dethrone King JLin

November 8, 2023 – New Taipei Xinzhuang Gymnasium, New Taipei City, Chinese Taipei

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Storylines:

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Will Jeremy Lin know who Kim Sun Hyung is after the game?

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Former NBA pro-Jeremy Lin will make his EASL debut on Wednesday. It will be a tough first outing for the New Taipei Kings against Seoul SK Knights, even if the Korean Basketball League team’s names are not as well-known.

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When Lin was asked in an interview last week if he was excited to face last season’s KBL MVP Kim Sun Hyung, Lin revealed that he was unfamiliar with Kim. Speaking to EASL last week, Kim responded, with the greatest of respect to his opponent, that he didn’t mind if Lin had not heard of him, but “… he will know of me after the game.”

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Kings make their EASL debut

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New Taipei Kings are one of two teams yet to play in the EASL 2023-24 Season, alongside the PBA’s Meralco Bolts. The Kings are bringing considerable firepower to start their EASL campaign.

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Aside from Jeremy Lin, New Taipei also carry: former NBA pro Byron Mullens, who led the P. LEAGUE+ with 15.7 rebounds last season; Kenny Manigault, who was last season’s assist and steals leader and was only the twelfth player in professional basketball history to record a quadruple-double, posting a line of 22 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and 10 steals against the Dreamers in March; and Jeremy’s brother Joseph, who recorded career-highs last season, averaging 13.0 points and 5.0 assists per game.

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This will be the first time home fans see the team’s new lineup, with former NBA pro Tony Mitchell and NCAA UC Davis standout Christian Anigwe coming on as new imports to the team. The P. LEAGUE+ does not tip off until November 11.

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SK look to build off momentum

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Seoul SK Knights are coming off a convincing victory over defending B.LEAGUE champions Ryukyu Golden Kings last week, when Leon Williams led the way with 23 points and 17 rebounds.

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They may also get their star center back. After Jameel Warney missed three straight games last week, he returned to KBL action this past weekend with a 22-point, 13-board double-double in the team’s game against Changwon LG Sakers.

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Warney was on fire earlier in the season, recording 38 points in his first EASL game, against Ryukyu Golden Kings on October 18, followed by a 46-point haul against Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters on the opening day of the KBL season on October 21.

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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

- P. LEAGUE+ 2022-23 Season stat leaders:

Points: Byron Mullens – 20.5 ppg
Rebounds: Byron Mullens – 14.7 rpg
Assists: Kenny Manigault – 6.0 apg
Steals: Kenny Manigault – 3.6 spg
Blocks: Byron Mullens – 1.4 bpg

Seoul SK Knights (KBL)

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- Team History:

Founded: 1997
Honors: 3x KBL Champions (1999-00, 2017-18, 2021-22); 2x EASL Runners Up (2019 Terrific 12, 2023 EASL Champions Week)

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 1-1

October 18, 2023: 80-79 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings
November 1, 2023: 82-69 win over Ryukyu Golden Kings

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jameel Warney – 39.0 ppg
Rebounds: Leon Williams – 13.5 rpg
Assists: Kim Sun Hyung – 8.0 apg
Steals: Leon Williams – 3.5 spg
Blocks: Jameel Warney – 2.0 bpg

- EASL History:

2023 EASL Champions Week: Seoul SK Knights went 2-1, defeating Bay Area Dragons 92-84 and PBA side TNT Tropang Giga 80-69 in the Group Stage. They lost to KBL side Anyang KGC 90-84 in the Final.
2019 Terrific 12: Seoul SK Knights went 3-1, beating PBA side Blackwater Elite and B.LEAGUE side Chiba Jets in the Group Stage. SK defeated CBA side Zhejiang Lions in the semifinals before falling to CBA side Liaoning Flying Leopards in the finals.

- KBL 2023-24 Season record: 3-3

October 21, 2023: 89-74 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
October 22, 2023: 85-80 win over Suwon KT Sonicboom
October 24, 2023: 90-79 win over Goyang Sono Skygunners
October 27, 2023: 78-67 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
October 29, 2023: 96-94 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
November 4, 2023: 69-50 loss against Changwon LG Sakers

- KBL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jameel Warney – 31.0 ppg
Rebounds: Jameel Warney – 13.5 rpg
Assists: Kim Sun Hyung – 6.0 apg
Steals: Juan Gómez de Liaño – 1.5 spg
Blocks: Kim Sun Hyung – 0.5 bpg

- 2022-23 KBL season:

Runners-up in 2022-23 KBL season
Regular season record: 36-18
Second in the regular season
Playoffs: defeated Jeonju KCC Egis 3-0 in quarterfinals; defeated Changwon LG Sakers 3-0 in semifinals; lost to Anyang KGC 4-3 in KBL Finals

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Players to Watch:

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New Taipei Kings:

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#7 Jeremy Lin – PG

- USA NCAA Division 1: Harvard (2006-2010)

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

- 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: 2020 CBA All-Star (Beijing Ducks)

- Chinese Taipei: 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

- 2022-23 P. LEAGUE+ season (Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers):