Game Notes: Group A - Taipei Fubon Braves (0-0) vs. Chiba Jets (1-0)

October 18, 2023 – National Taiwan University Sports Center, Taipei, Chinese Taipei

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Storylines:

Can the Braves’ new imports help them get over the international barrier?

1. Taipei Fubon Braves are coming off a three-peat season, winning the P. LEAGUE+ for the third straight year. However, their success in Chinese Taipei hasn’t yet translated to the international stage. This is their third EASL appearance, having gone 1-1 in the 2018 Terrific 12 and 0-2 in EASL Champions Week. The team also added new imports this offseason, signing former Bay Area Dragon Sedrick Barefield and former NBA pro Stephen Zimmerman. Can the Braves translate dominance at home onto the international stage in EASL?

Who will win the battle of the boys of 1982?

2. Two 41-year-olds face off in this game. Taipei Fubon Braves’ Lin Chih-Chieh is a six-time all-star in the CBA, and is coming off a championship-winning season, averaging 9.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. On the other side, Chiba Jets’ Ira Brown is coming off Player of the Game honors in his first EASL game this season, against TNT Tropang Giga, recording 19 points and 12 rebounds. Which of these decorated vets will have a bigger impact on the game?

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Will the Jets run out of fuel?

3. Chiba Jets will be playing their sixth game in 11 days, including four B.LEAGUE games and the EASL game last midweek. Adding the travel to Taipei, will the Jets have stamina for a tough game against the Braves?

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By the Numbers:

Taipei Fubon Braves

- 2023 P. LEAGUE+ Champions

- 2023 EASL Champions Week: Braves went 0-2, losing to KBL side Anyang KGC and B.LEAGUE side Ryukyu Golden Kings

- 2018 Terrific 12 (an EASL competition): Braves went 1-1, defeating CBA side Shandong Golden Stars and losing to KBL side Seoul Samsung Thunders  

- 2023 P. LEAGUE+:  

• Regular Season: 25-15 record, 2^nd in P. LEAGUE+
• Playoffs: defeated Taoyuan Pauian Pilots 3-0 in semifinals; defeated New Taipei Kings 4-2 in finals

- Team History:

• 3x P. LEAGUE+ Championships (2021, 2022, 2023)
• 1x SBL Championship (2019)

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Chiba Jets

- EASL record: 1-0

• October 11: 93-75 victory over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)

- B.LEAGUE 2023-24 season record: 2-2

• October 8, 2023: 91-82 loss to Nagasaki Velca
• October 9, 2023: 89-86 loss to Nagasaki Velca
• October 14, 2023: 97-83 win over Shinshu Brave Warriors
• October 15, 2023: 86-85 win over Shinshu Brave Warriors

- EASL stat leaders:  

• Points: Ira Brown & D.J. Stephens – 19.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Ira Brown – 12.0 rpg
• Assists: Asato Ogawa – 6.0 apg
• Steals: Marcus Tobin & Ira Brown – 1.0 spg
• Blocks: Justyn Mutts – 2.0 bpg

- EASL team stats:

• Points per game: 93.0
• Field goal %: 46%
• Rebounds per game: 42.0
• Assists per game: 22.0

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Players to Watch:‍

Taipei Fubon Braves:

#5 Chris Johnson – PF

• 3x P. LEAGUE+ champion (2021, 2022, 2023)
• USA NCAA Division 1: Louisiana State (2005-2009)
• 2009 SEC All-Defensive Team
• Former NBA player (Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, New Orleans Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves)
• NBA career stats: 71 games – 2.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg
• Former NBA D League player (Dakota Wizards, Santa Cruz Warriors)
• 2011 All-NBA D-League First Team
• 2011 NBA D-League Defensive Player of the Year
• 2011 NBA D-League All-Defensive First Team
• 2011 NBA D-League All Star

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#9 Stephen Zimmerman – C

• USA NCAA Division 1: UNLV (2015-2016)
• Former NBA player (Orlando Magic)
• 2016 NBA Draft: 2nd round, 41st overall pick – Detroit Pistons
• NBA career stats: 19 games – 1.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg
• Former NBA D League player (Erie Bayhawks, South Bay Lakers, Westchester Knicks, Austin Spurs)
• 2015 McDonald’s All-American
• 2014 FIBA Americas U-18 Championship Gold Medalist
• 2018 FIBA AmeriCup Bronze Medalist

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#32 Ihor Zaytsev – C

• 3x P. LEAGUE+ champion (2021, 2022, 2023)
• 2021 P. LEAGUE+ Import of the Year
• 2019 SBL Best Foreign Player of the year
• 2016 Polish Cup winner
• 2015 Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague champion

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Chiba Jets:

#50 Ira Brown – PF

• USA NCAA Division 1: Gonzaga (2007-2009)
• Japan: 2013 bj league Best 5
• Japan National Team (2017 EABA Championship: Bronze)
• EASL Stats: 19.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 72% FG

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#20 D.J. Stephens – SF

• Former NBA player (Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies)
• 2023 All-EuroCup First Team (Prometey)
• 2× Ukrainian SuperLeague champion (Budivelnyk - 2017, Prometey - 2021)
• Ukrainian SuperLeague Best Five (Prometey - 2021)
• France: Pro A champion (Le Mans - 2018)
• EASL Stats: 19.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.0 bpg, 50% FG

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#5 Justyn Mutts – PF

• USA NCAA Division 1: High Point (2017-2018), Delaware (2019-2020), Viginia Tech (2020-2023)
• 2022 NCAA ACC Championship
• 2021-22 ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year – Skip Prosser Award
• 2021-22 Virginia Tech team captain
• 2021 ACC All-Academic Team
• Played 2023 NBA Summer League (Sacramento Kings)
• EASL Stats: 9.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 3.0 spg, 50% FG

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