January 10, 2024 – Funabashi Arena, Chiba, Japan

Storylines:

1.      Qualified Jets aim for perfect season

 The Chiba Jets have qualified for the Final Four. If they continue their perfect run this Wednesday, then they will likely avoid facing Jeremy Lin’s New Taipei Kings in the semifinals.

Last month, Chiba Jets became the first team to qualify for the first-ever EASL Final Four. The B.LEAGUE side are undefeated this season with a 5-0 record.

Having topped Group A, they will play the second-placed team in Group Bin the semifinals. This looks likely to mean they avoid a heavyweight semifinals clash against Jeremy Lin’s New Taipei Kings, who are currently dominating Group B.

The standings in Group B are more fluid, but it looks likely that the second-placed team will either be Jets’ B.LEAGUE rivals Ryukyu Golden Kings or the KBL’s Seoul SK Knights.

A game against Ryukyu would give the Jets a chance to avenge their defeat to the Okinawa side in last year’s B.LEAGUE Finals.

The Jets’ standout performers this EASL season have been Japan national team captain Yuki Togashi and power forward John Mooney. Their top scorer and rebounder is Mooney on 24.3 points and 17.7 rebounds per game.

The last time these two teams met, in a 69-102 Chiba Jets win on December 13, Mooney recorded a 22-point, 22-rebound double-double.

Will the Jets keep their foot on the gas to close out the Group Stage with a perfect, 6-0 record?

2.      Jung Kwan Jang can qualify with a win

Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters are not looking in great shape as they make a stand to qualify for the Final Four.

It’s become clear that Jung Kwan Jang are not the dominant force they were last season, when they won both EASL Champions Week and the Korean Basketball League Finals.

The KBL champs could qualify for the EASL Final Four with a win over Chiba. However, current form suggests this is unlikely.

Jung Kwan Jang lost heavily to Chiba, 69-102, at home in the teams’ first EASL encounter this season, on December 13. In 20 games since November 24, the team have won just three games in EASL and KBL combined. During that stretch, they have been outscored by 246 points (1,835-1,589).

Jung Kwan Jang currently hold an 11-20 record n the KBL and are on the outside looking in at the playoff picture.

In EASL, they sit second in Group A with a 2-1 record.

With domestic success looking unlikely this season, EASL remains an opportunity for Jung Kwan Jang to recover some of last season’s glory. But they will have to up their game.

3.      Jung Kwan Jang lose Abando

High-flying Jung Kwan Jang import Rhenz Abando is out indefinitely after a controversial collision with Goyang Sono Skygunners’ import Chinanu Onuaku in a KBL game on December 28.

Filipino star Abando fell hard attempting a put-back dunk and suffered a concussion, a sprained wrist and fractures on his third and fourth lumbar vertebrae.

Abando and Jung Kwan Jang were upset with Onuaku’s challenge that led to the fall.  

“Abando is both a player of our team and the national team of the Philippines. You have to protect the player. It doesn’t make sense to hurt your spine just by rebounding,” a Jung Kwan Jang official told the media. “I’m so upset that it became a general hospital. If you take a break for four weeks, you won't be able to run the All-Star Game Dunk Contest, and you won't be able to play the EASL (East Asian Super League).”

The defending KBL slam dunk champion’s fitness will be re-evaluated in a month.

Abando played in all three of Jung Kwan Jang’s EASL games this season and was the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 15.7 points.  

By the Numbers

Chiba Jets (Japan – B.LEAGUE)

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Team History:

o  Founded: 2005

o  2020-21 B.LEAGUE Champions

o  Emperor’s Cup Champions (2017, 2018, 2019, 2023)

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2022-23 B.LEAGUE season:

o  Runners up in 2022-23 B.LEAGUE season

o  B.LEAGUE record: 53 regular season wins

o  Loss just seven games all season

o  Embarked on a 24-game winning streak from December 2022 to March 2023

o  First on offense: scored 87.9 points per game

o  Fifth on defense: conceded 74.8 points per game

o  Playoffs: defeated Hiroshima Dragonflies 2-1 in quarterfinals; defeated Alvark Tokyo 2-0 in semifinals; lost to Ryukyu Golden Kings 2-0 in B.LEAGUE Finals

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EASL 2023-24 Season record: 5-0

o  October 11, 2023: 93-75 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)

o  October 18, 2023: 85-82 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)

o  November 1, 2023: 75-66 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)

o  December 13, 2023: 102-69 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters(KBL)

o  December 27, 2023: 76-60 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)

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EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

o  Points: John Mooney – 24.3 ppg

o  Rebounds: John Mooney – 17.7 rpg

o  Assists: Yuki Togashi – 5.4 apg

o  Steals: Xavier Cooks – 2.5 spg

o   Blocks: D.J. Stephens – 2.7 bpg

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EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

o   Home vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL) – January 10, 2024

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EASL History:

o  2019 Terrific 12: The Jets went 1-1, beating PBA side Blackwater Elite before losing to KBL side Seoul SK Knights.

o  2018 Terrific 12: The Jets went 0-2, falling to CBA side Guangzhou Loong Lions and KBL side Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.

o  2017 Super 8: The Jets went 3-0, beating CBA side Zhejiang Guangsha Lions, Chinese Taipei side Taipei Fubon Braves, and KBL side Seoul Samsung Thunders. The Jets beat KBL side Goyang Orions in the semifinals, before beating Zhejiang again to win the 2017 EASL Super 8 tournament.

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2023-24 B.LEAGUE Season record: 15-13

o  October 5, 2023: 80-63 win over Saga Ballooners

o  October 7, 2023: 80-79 win over Saga Ballooners

o  October 14, 2023: 93-86 win over Sun Rockers Shibuya

o  October 15, 2023: 84-82 win over Sun Rockers Shibuya

o  October 21, 2023: 89-66 loss against Yokohama B-Corsairs

o  October 22, 2023: 88-70 win over Yokohama B-Corsairs

o  October 25, 2023: 87-66 loss against Kawasaki Brave Thunders

o  October 28, 2023: 79-69 win over Fighting Eagles Nagoya

o  October 29, 2023: 88-73 loss against Fighting Eagles Nagoya

o  November 4, 2023: 88-83 loss against Sea Horses Mikawa

o  November 5, 2023: 101-90 win over Sea Horses Mikawa

o  November 8, 2023: 86-78 win over Gunma Crane Thunders

o  November 11, 2023: 95-76 loss against Saga Ballooners

o  November 12, 2023: 78-72 win over Saga Ballooners

o  November 30, 2023: 87-83 win over Shimane Susanoo Magic

o  December 1, 2023: 90-53 loss against Shimane Susanoo Magic

o  December 6, 2023: 94-72 win over Ibaraki Robots

o  December 9, 2023: 92-61 win over Nagoya Diamond Dolphins

o  December 10, 2023: 99-71 loss against Nagoya Diamond Dolphins

o  December 16, 2023: 93-88 loss against Sun Rockers Shibuya

o  December 17, 2023: 89-75 win over Sun Rockers Shibuya

o  December 20, 2023: 78-65 loss against Utsunomiya Brex

o  December 23, 2023: 92-76 loss against Sendai 89ers

o  December 24, 2023: 96-72 win over Sendai 89ers

o  December 30, 2023: 90-81 loss against San-en Neo Phoenix

o  December 31, 2023: 96-94 loss against San-en Neo Phoenix

o  January 6, 2024: 83-99 win over Kyoto Hannaryz

o  January 7, 2024: 76-83 win over Kyoto Hannaryz

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B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

·      Points: Yuki Togashi – 20.4 ppg

·      Rebounds: John Mooney – 12.3 rpg

·      Assists: Yuki Togashi – 4.8 apg

·      Steals: John Mooney – 1.2 spg

·      Blocks: Xavier Cooks – 0.9 bpg

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

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Team History:

o  Founded: 1992

o  EASL Champions Week Champions (2023)

o  4x KBL Champions (2011-12, 2016-17, 2020-21, 2022-23)

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2023 KBL Champions

o  Regular Season: 37-17 record, 1st in KBL

o   Playoffs: defeated Goyang Day One Jumpers 3-1in semifinals; defeated Seoul SK Knights 4-3 in Finals

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EASL 2023-24 Season record: 2-1

o   October 25, 2023: 98-77 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)

o   December 6, 2023: 105-97 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)

o   December 13, 2023: 102-69 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)

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EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

o   Points: Darryl Monroe – 17.3 ppg

o   Rebounds: Darryl Monroe – 10.0 rpg

o   Assists: Darryl Monroe – 6.7 apg

o   Steals: Jung Joon Won – 1.5 spg

o   Blocks: Rhenz Abando – 0.7 bpg

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EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

o  Away vs. Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE) – January 10,2024

o  Away vs. TNT Tropang Giga (PBA) – January 24,2024

o  Away vs. Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+) –February 7, 2024

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EASL History:

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.

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2023-24 KBL Season record: 11-20

o  October 21, 2023: 89-74 loss against Seoul SK Knights

o  October 28, 2023: 63-59 win over Suwon KT Sonicboom

o  October 31, 2023: 86-75 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus

o  November 2, 2023: 96-74 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders

o  November 4, 2023: 84-82 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners

o  November 5, 2023: 91-80 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus

o  November 7, 2023: 74-72 win over Busan KCC Egis

o  November 10, 2023: 99-94 win over Wonju DB Promy

o  November 12, 2023: 85-71 win over Changwon LG Sakers

o  November 14, 2023: 81-63 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders

o  November 17, 2023: 106-77 loss against Changwon LG Sakers

o  November 19, 2023: 84-74 win over Busan KCC Egis

o  November 21, 2023: 98-93 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus

o  November 24, 2023: 94-85 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom

o  November 26, 2023: 97-80 loss against Wonju DB Promy

o  November 28, 2023: 86-82 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners

o  December 1, 2023: 108-77 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus

o  December 3, 2023: 85-71 loss against Seoul SK Knights

o  December 9, 2023: 93-78 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus

o  December 10, 2023: 88-83 loss against Wonju DB Promy

o  December 16, 2023: 84-75 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders

o  December 18, 2023: 91-80 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus

o  December 22, 2023: 104-75 loss against Busan KCC Egis

o  December 24, 2023: 113-85 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom

o  December 26, 2023: 94-75 loss against Changwon LG Sakers

o  December 28, 2023: 85-81 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners

o  December 30, 2023: 86-68 loss against Seoul SK Knights

o  December 31, 2023: 93-86 loss against Wonju DB Promy

o  January 2, 2024: 84-80 win over Changwon LG Sakers

o  January 4, 2024: 81-70 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus

o  January 7, 2024: 83-71 loss against Seoul SK Knights

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2023-24 KBL Season stat leaders:

·      Points: Robert Carter – 19.7 ppg

·      Rebounds: Robert Carter – 10.1 rpg

·      Assists: Park Ji Hoon – 4.5 apg

·      Steals: Park Ji Hoon – 1.4 spg

·      Blocks: Du’Vaughn Maxwell – 1.4 bpg

Players to Watch

Chiba Jets

#2 Yuki Togashi – PG

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Former NBA G League Player (Texas Legends)

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Japan: B.LEAGUE – Chiba Jets

o   2019 B.LEAGUE MVP

o   2017 B.LEAGUE All-Star Game MVP

o   7x B.LEAGUE Best Five (2017-23)

o   2x B.LEAGUE Assist Leader (2020, 2022)

o   2x Emperor's Cup MVP (2019, 2023)

o   2014 bj league Best Five Team

o   2014 bj league All-Star Game MVP

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Japan National Basketball Team Captain (2023 FIBA World Cup: Qualified for Olympic Berth)

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EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

o   17.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg,5.4 apg

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B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stats:

o   20.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg,4.7 apg, 1.0 spg

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#10 Xavier Cooks – F

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USA NCAA Division I: Winthrop (2014-18)

o   Winthrop’s all-time rebounder

o   Winthrop's all-time shot-blocker

o   2018 Big South Player of the Year

o   2× First-team All-Big South (2017, 2018)

o   2016 Second-team All-Big South

o   2015 Big South All-Freshman Team

o   Big South Men's Basketball All-Decade Team(2010–19)

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Former NBA player (Washington Wizards)

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Australia: NBL – Sydney Kings

o   2× NBL champion(2022, 2023)

o   2022 NBL Grand Final MVP (2022)

o   2023 NBL MostValuable Player (2023)

o   2023 All-NBL FirstTeam (2023)

o   2022 All-NBL SecondTeam (2022)

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New Zealand: NZNBL – Wellington Saints

o   2022 NZNBL MVP

o   2022 NZNBL All-Star Five

o   2022 NZNBL MostOutstanding Forward

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Germany: Basketball Bundesliga - Würzburg Baskets

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EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

o   13.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg,3.5 apg, 2.5 spg

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B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stats:

o   10.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.9apg

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#33 John Mooney – C

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USA NCAA Division I: Notre Dame (2016-20)

o   2020 First-team All-ACC

o   2019 Third-team All-ACC

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Australia: NBL (Perth Wildcats)

o  2021 NBL Cup winner

o  2021 All-NBL First Team

o  2021 NBL rebounding leader (11.4 rpg)

o  2021 Perth Wildcats MVP

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EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

o   24.3 ppg, 17.7 rpg,3.0 apg, 2.0 spg

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B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stats:

o   18.0 ppg, 12.3 rpg,2.1 apg, 1.2 spg

Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters

#4 Robert Carter – PF

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USA NCAA Division I: Georgia Tech (2012-14); Maryland (2015-16)

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Career team history:

o   Italy: Serie A – Enel Brindisi (2016-17)

o   Lithuania: LKL – Lietuvos rytas (2017)

o   Turkey: TBL – Gaziantep Basketbol (2017-18)

o   Turkey: TBSL – Afyon Belediye S.K. (2018-19)

o   Japan: B.LEAGUE

§  Shimane Susanoo Magic (2019-20)

§  Yokohama B-Corsairs (2020-21)

§  San-en NeoPhoenix (2021-22)

o   Israel: Ligat Ha Al – Bnei Herzliya (2022-23)

o   South Korea: KBL – Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters

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2023-24 KBL stats:

o   19.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg,2.9 apg

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#86 Darryl Monroe – PF/C

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2023 EASL Champions Week champion

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USA NCAA Division I: George Mason (2006-09)

o   2009 Second-team All-CAA

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Turkish First League champion (2018)

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Israeli League: Maccabi Rishon LeZion - 2016

o   Israeli League champion (2016)

o   Israeli League MVP (Maccabi Rishon LeZion -2016)

o   Israeli Basketball Premier League Finals MVP(Maccabi Rishon LeZion - 2016)

o   All-Israeli League First Team (Maccabi Rishon LeZion- 2016)

o   FIBA Europe Cup Starting Five (Maccabi Rishon LeZion - 2016)

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Italy A2 League: Scaligera Verona - 2015

o   Italian Second League MVP (Scaligera Verona -2015)

o   Italian Second Cup winner (Scaligera Verona -2015)

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France: Boulazac Dordogne - 2013

o   French League All-Star (2013)

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South Korea: Anyang KGC

o   2003 KBL champion

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EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

o  17.3 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 6.7 apg

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2023-24 KBL Stats:

o   11.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.8 apg

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#6 Park Ji Hoon – PG

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University: Chung-Ang University

o   Korea: 2^nd in KUSF Scoring (2017)

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South Korea: KBL

o   2016 KBL Draft: 6^th overall pick (Busan KT Sonicboom)

o   Korea: 2x KBL Champion (Anyang KGC: 2020-21,2022-23)

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South Korea National Basketball Team

o   39th Lee Sang Baek Cup Korea x Japan University Basketball Tournament National Team

o   2017 Taipei Summer Universiade men's Basketball Team

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EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

o  9.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.7 apg

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2023-24 KBL Stats:

o   12.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.4 spg