GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Busan KCC Egis (1-4) vs. New Taipei Kings (2-2)

EASL によって書かれました

Tyler Schiff

New Taipei Searching For 3rd Straight Win, Improve Above 0.500

January 21, 2025 — Busan Sajik Gymnasium

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‍Where To Watch

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The Busan KCC Egis and New Taipei Kings tip off at 6:10 p.m. CST. Here’s where you can catch the game!

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S. Korea

Watch the game through CJ Entertainment’s streaming platform, TVING (OTT).

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Chinese Taipei

Watch the game live on Videoland (pay TV), Videoland’s Twitch and YouTube Channels, or watch via streaming platform, PTS+ (OTT).

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Outside These Regions:

‍If you’re outside these regions and want to watch the East Asia Super League (EASL) games on Jan. 21, visit the ‘Watch’ tab on our website to see where you can stream based on your location.

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Get Your Tickets

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Get your tickets now at https://www.kbl.or.kr/ticket/eas-league.

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‍‍Note: Those interested must create a Korean Basketball League (KBL) website membership to purchase tickets.

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Storylines

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Finishing Strong

Busan KCC's Cady Lalanne attempts a left-handed hook shot during a game against the Macau Black Bears on January 15. With their Final Four hopes already dashed and only one East Asia Super League game remaining, Busan KCC will look to secure a statement victory in Tuesday's matchup against New Taipei.

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The Busan KCC Egis are officially out of Final Four contention in the East Asia Super League (EASL). Their 89-78 loss to the Macau Black Bears last time out dropped them to 1-4 in their inaugural EASL campaign.

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It’s been a tough run for Busan KCC. Entering the season as KBL champions with big expectations and a marquee offseason signing in star import Deonte Burton, the Egis were pegged to make noise in Group B. But injuries to key players Song Kyo-Chang and Choi Jun-Yong kept the team from reaching full strength, resulting in three straight losses to open the season.

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Even KCC’s lone win so far was nothing short of a miracle. On Dec. 18, a jaw-dropping 14-0 scoring run by shooting guard Heo Ung sealed an incredible 72-68 comeback victory over the visiting Meralco Bolts (PBA). But now, their only shot at creating another lasting memory is to take down the New Taipei Kings — last year’s Final Four qualifiers — in front of a home crowd on Tuesday.

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For the Egis, this matchup is about finishing their first run in the Champions League of Asian basketball with pride.

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Decisions, Decisions

New Taipei's Austin Daye (#25) celebrates a made 3-pointer against the Ryukyu Golden Kings on Jan. 8. In two EASL appearances this year, Daye averages a producive 19 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.

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The New Taipei Kings have been an intriguing team to watch this season. Through four games, their rotations have followed a fairly consistent pattern, and on offense, star guard Jeremy Lin has taken charge as the floor general during key moments. However, the team’s playing style often hinges on how head coach Ryan Marchand manages his imports — particularly Austin Daye and Jason Washburn.

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Daye, a versatile 6-foot-9 forward and former NBA Champion with the San Antonio Spurs, gives New Taipei the ability to stretch the floor. In the Kings’ most dominant win of the season — a 99-63 blowout of the Ryukyu Golden Kings on Jan. 8 — Daye put up 22 points, knocking down five 3-pointers in the process. His combination of length and height also makes him a strong defensive presence.

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Washburn, on the other hand, is a 7-foot center with a wealth of experience in Asian basketball, having played in both the B.LEAGUE (Japan) and P. LEAGUE+. While he can also shoot, Washburn’s sturdier frame makes him more effective against physical players who prefer battling in the paint.

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The decision to play Daye or Washburn largely depends on how New Taipei matches up with its opponents. Daye suited up for games against Macau and Ryukyu, while Washburn took the floor in their first meetings with those same teams. Who Marchand opts for on Tuesday might offer a small glimpse into which player he favors moving forward.

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Buckets Galore

New Taipei's Jeremy Lin, averaging a team-high 23 points, takes a contested shot against Ryukyu's Masahiro Waki on Dec. 25. New Taipei boasts one of the league's top offenses, averaging 96 points per game.

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New Taipei boasts the highest-scoring offense among teams still in contention for the EASL Final Four this year, averaging an impressive 96 points per game. The team has surpassed the 90-point mark in three of its four games and even exploded for 114 points in a commanding win over the Macau Black Bears on Dec. 11.

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A big reason for this offensive firepower is their depth of scoring options. Jeremy Lin, a score-first guard, leads the team with an average of 23 points per game. Kenny Manigault Jr. isn’t far behind, putting up 20 points per game with an ability to heat up from 3 quickly. Beyond them, Austin Daye and Sani Sakakini have consistently delivered double-digit scoring performances.

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New Taipei’s potent scoring will be something to watch in Tuesday’s matchup against one of the league’s weakest defenses. Busan KCC gives up an average of 88 points per game and remains far from full strength due to their current roster issues. However, New Taipei’s own defensive struggles aren’t too far behind, setting the stage for what promises to be an entertaining shootout.

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Busan KCC Egis’ Players To Watch

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#1 Lee Ho-Hyun — Guard, 5-foot-10

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 3.8 points, 2.2 rebounds. 4.2 assists
2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 6.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists
2023-24 KBL Champion
Lee joined the Busan KCC Egis in 2023
Lee attended Chung-ang University
Lee is from Gunsan City, South Korea

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#44 Leon Williams — Forward, 6-foot-8

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 12.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists
2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists
Williams joined the Busan KCC Egis in 2024 (previously played with KCC in 2019)
Williams has played for eight different KBL Teams (Goyang Sono Skygunners, Anyang JKJ Red Boosters, Suwon KT Sonicboom, Seoul SK Knights, Wonju DB Promy, Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus, Changwon LG Sakers and Busan KCC Egis)
2022 KBL Champion with the Seoul SK Knights
2019 KBL All-Star with the Jeonju KCC Egis (now Busan KCC Egis)
Williams has played professionally in Turkey, France, Spain, Puerto Rico, Greece and Argentina
2008 First-Team All-MAC
2007 MAC Tournament MVP
2005 MAC Tournament MVP
2005 MAC Freshman of the Year
2005 MAC All-Freshman Team
Williams attended the University of Ohio (2004-2008)
Williams is from Baltimore, Maryland, USA

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#92 Cady Lalanne — Center, 6-foot-10

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 27.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists
2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 13.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Lalanne joined the Busan KCC Egis in 2024
Lalanne has previously played professionally in Puerto Rico, Italy, Spain and Kuwait
Previously played in the KBL with the Changwon LG Sakers (2019-2021) and the Suwon KT Sonicboom (2021-2022)
Lalanne played for the NBA D-League’s Austin Spurs during the 2015-2016 season
Lalanne was the 55th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft
Lalanne attended the University of Massachusetts (2011-2015)
Lalanne is from Port-au-Prince, Haiti

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New Taipei Kings’ Players To Watch

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#7 Jeremy Lin — Guard, 6-foot-3

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists
2023-2024 P. LEAGUE+ Champion
2023 P. LEAGUE+ Assists Leader
Lin joined the New Taipei Kings in 2023
Lin has played professionally in the NBA, China PRC and Chinese Taipei
2020 CBA All-Star with the Beijing Ducks (China PRC)
Lin has played in the NBA with the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors
2019 NBA Champion with the Toronto Raptors
2x First-Team All-Ivy League (2009, 2010)
2008 Second-Team All-Ivy League
Lin attended Harvard (2006-2010)
Lin is from Torrance, California, USA

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#55 Kenny Manigault Jr. — Forward, 6-foot-5

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 20.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists
2023-2024 P. LEAGUE+ Champion
2x P. LEAGUE+ Steals Leaders (2023, 2024)
2023 All-P. LEAGUE+ Second Team
Manigault Jr. joined the New Taipei Kings in 2023
Manigault Jr. has played professionally in Finland, Israel, Canada, Poland and Macau (Macau Black Bears)
Manigault Jr. attended Wichita State University, the University of South Carolina Aiken and the University of Pikeville
Manigault Jr. is from Charleston, South Carolina, USA

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#31 Sani Sakakini — Forward, 6-foot-8

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 18.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Sakakini joined the New Taipei Kings in 2024
Sakakini has played professionally in Jordan, China PRC, Lebanon, Venezuela, UAE and Chinese Taipei
2022 All-T1 League First Team with the Taichung Suns (Chinese Taipei)
2021 Palestinian Basketball League Champion with the Orthodoxi Beit Sahour
2015 Jordanian League Champion with the Orthodox Club
2014 All-CBA Third Team with the Qingdao Eagles (China PRC)
2013 All-Jordanian League Center with Sarriyet Ramallah
2x All-Jordanian League First Team (2010, 2013) with Al Riyadi Amman
Sakakini went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft
Sakakini is from Ramallah, Palestine

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Busan KCC Egis By The Numbers

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Team History