Offseason transactions: The big player moves so far this summer

It is quiet on the basketball courts at present, but it has been an extremely active offseason in the front offices of the eight EASL teams. New players are being brought in and others are leaving for new ventures. Let’s take a look at the big changes so far as the EASL teams bolster their rosters ahead of next season.

‍

Anyang KGC:

IN >

Choi Seong Won

• The former Seoul SK Knights man signed a three-year deal worth KRW 400 million (US$314,000) with the defending champions. Choi was a key rotational player for SK in their run to the KBL Finals, averaging 10.4 points in seven games with his former team.  

Kim Sang Kyu

• The 34-year-old forward served as a role player for Jeonju KCC Egis last season. His best season came in the 2021-22 season, where he averaged 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 47 games with KCC.

Jung Hyo Geun

• The South Korea national team power forward left KOGAS Pegasus to join KGC. The big man averaged 10.6 points for KOGAS last season.

Lee Jong Hyun

• The 2016 first overall pick will bring veteran presence and leadership to the champions. Lee won the 2019 KBL Championship with Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus and was the blocks leader in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.  

OUT <

Byeon Jun Hyeong

• Byeon will not participate next season as he enters mandatory service with the Korean military.  

Moon Seong Gon

• The Korea National Team small forward signed a massive KRW 780 million (US$588,000), five-year contract with Suwon KT this offseason. The 2015 KBL first overall pick is a three-time KBL champion and was the back-to-back KBL Defensive Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021.

Oh Se Keun

• The two-time KBL Finals MVP signed a huge KRW 750 million (US$588,000), three-year contract with KGC rivals Seoul SK Knights this summer. Oh won the KBL title four times in his career and was the 2012 KBL Rookie of the Year.

Yang Hee Jong

• The 39-year-old forward retired after playing with Anyang KGC since 2007. In that time, he won four KBL Championships and was 2014 KBL Defensive Player of the Year.

Seoul SK Knights

IN >

Oh Se Keun

• Joined Anyang KGC - see above.

Juan Gomez de Liaño

• The 6’1” guard played for the BC Wolves in the Lithuanian Basketball League last season.

Ahn Young Jun

• Ahn returned after his mandatory military service. Ahn was a key starter for SK Knights in his last season, 2021-22, starting 60 of the 62 games and averaging 14.6 points and 4.8 rebounds.

OUT <

Choi Jun Yong

• The 2022 KBL MVP left SK after eight seasons with the team. The two-time KBL champion averaged 12.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 29 games with SK last season.

Choi Seong Won

• Joined Seoul SK Knights - see above.

Ryukyu Golden Kings

IN >

Vic Law

• After losing to the Golden Kings in the B.LEAGUE finals with Chiba Jets, Law joined the champions. The former NBA small forward averaged 17.1 points and 8.1 rebounds last season.

OUT <

Koh Flippin

• The former NCAA Division 1 UC Riverside point guard left the defending B.LEAGUE champions for Gunma Crane Thunders. Flippin averaged 4.6 points in 57 games last season.

Josh Duncan

• The former NCAA Division 1 Xavier University power forward left Ryukyu after just one year with the team. Duncan averaged 11 points and 6.3 rebounds in 60 games for the Golden Kings last season.

Reita Matsumoto

• After spending a year with the Golden Kings, the second-year guard signed with Ibaraki Robots this offseason.

Chiba Jets

IN >

Ira Brown

• The former NCAA Division 1 Gonzaga University power forward joined the Jets after spending four seasons with Osaka Evessa. The 41-year-old veteran averaged 9.5 points and 6.3 rebounds in 60 games last season.

OUT <

Vic Law

• Joined Ryukyu Golden Kings – see above.

Gavin Edwards

• The former NCAA Division 1 University of Connecticut center left the Jets after six seasons with the team. Edwards averaged 9 points and 5.7 boards in 49 games last season.

Takuma Sato

• Sato joined Nagoya Diamond Dolphins this offseason after three seasons with the Jets. He played in 51 games last season, averaging 4.3 points a game.

Katsumi Takahashi

• The point guard signed with Niigata Albirex BB this June after playing 26 games for the Jets last season.

Taipei Fubon Braves

In >  

Sedrick Barefield

• Signed from Bay Area Dragons – see above.

TNT Tropang Giga

OUT<

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

• The six-year NBA veteran moved to Puerto Rico to suit up for Atléticos de San Germán after playing 16 games for the defending PBA Governors’ Cup champions. Hollis-Jefferson averaged 30.3 points and 13.3 rebounds during his run with the team and won Best Import of the tournament.

‍