Suwon KT signs Ismael Romero, replaces Jordan Morgan

Suwon KT has signed Ismael Romero as its newest import, the team announced on Monday. Romero, who has yet to play for the Sonicboom since joining, becomes KT’s fourth import acquisition to feature for the organization this season. 

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Romero arrives as a replacement for Jordan Morgan, who KT signed on Nov. 18. Morgan played in only two games before being ruled out for the remainder of the season (eight weeks) due to a hamstring injury sustained during a Korean Basketball League (KBL) match on Oct. 30. Morgan had originally been brought in to replace Jeremiah Tilmon Jr., who was released by KT following disappointing performances in the KBL after joining in the offseason.

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KT will likely finish the 2024-25 season with Romero and Rayshaun Hammonds, a 6-foot-9 forward acquired at the start of the year. Hammonds is currently averaging 22.8 points and 10.5 rebounds in EASL play.

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Romero, originally from Cuba, became a naturalized Puerto Rican citizen in 2021. He recently represented Puerto Rico in the 2024 Paris Olympics, notably scoring 12 points in a loss to the United States, the eventual champions. Throughout his career, Romero has played primarily in Puerto Rico and Mexico since going undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft. He’s a 2-time BSN (Puerto Rico) champion (2020, 2022). In the 2015-16 season, the 6-foot-9 center spent time with the NBA G League’s Grand Rapids Gold, an affiliate of the Denver Nuggets.

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Although Romero was signed ahead of Suwon KT’s EASL game against the P. LEAGUE+’s Taoyuan Pauian Pilots on Wednesday at the Macau Classic, he did not play. He is expected to make his KBL debut on Saturday against the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus and could see his first EASL action in KT’s next game on Jan. 7 against Hong Kong Eastern.