Game Notes: EASL Final Four 2024 Championship Game – Chiba Jets vs. Seoul SK Knights

March 10, 2024 – Hoops Dome, Cebu

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Storylines

1. Will Chiba maintain a perfect EASL season?

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The Chiba Jets escaped with a 92-84 win over the New Taipei Kings. 

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All the pressure will be on Chiba as they look to finish their EASL season with a perfect record.

How Chiba’s elite frontcourt with John Mooney and Xavier Cooks exploit the weaknesses of Leon Williams may determine Chiba’s success.

In the paint, the Seoul SK Knights will have their hands containing Mooney and Cooks, and this will open up looks for the perimeter. Mooney was the EASL’s top rebounder (16.3 RPG) and Cooks, fourth (11.7 RPG).

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Chiba shot just 33.2 percent from beyond the arc during the EASL season, and have three players who shot above 38 percent: Yuki Togashi (40.6 percent, 28-for-69) , Fumio Nishimura (52.4 percent, 11-for-21), and Ren Kanechika (39.2%, 20-for-51). Togashi drilled 46 percent of his three-pointers in the semi-finals, making six out of his 13 attempted shots, but Nishimua and Kanechika made none of their combined total of seven.

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Chiba shot just 29 percent (10-for-31) from three-point range in the semi-finals.

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Will Seoul SK pack the paint? If they do, how will they contain Togashi?

2. Jameel Warney’s supporting cast  

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In the EASL season, the Seoul SK Knights were a 41-percent three-point shooting team. Warney will draw the attention of the Chiba defense, so Seoul’s supporting cast’s ability to hit three-pointers could be an X-factor.
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In the semi-final game, Seoul was unafraid to engage in a shootout with Anyang. The former outshot the latter, 43 percent on 12-for-28 shooting compared to Anyang’s 36 percent on 10-for-28 shooting. 

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Defensively, Leon Williams and how Seoul’s domestic wings contain Mooney and Cooks will determine their chances of success. 

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3. The legacy of Yuki Togashi 

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The Japanese National Team captain and the first 100-million-yen-a-season B. LEAGUE player has earned the respect of the EASL.

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Not only is Chiba interested in winning the grand prize of $1 million and attaining East Asia supremacy. Togashi will also be looking to further stamp his legacy in the region as one of its best guards. 

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Togashi spearheading Chiba to a convincing victory over Korea’s best would help him achieve this.

By the Numbers

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Chiba Jets (Japan – B.LEAGUE)

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• Team History:some text
  • Founded: 2005
  • 2020-21 B.LEAGUE Champions
  • Emperor’s Cup Champions (2017, 2018, 2019, 2023)
• 2022-23 B.LEAGUE season: some text
  • Runners up in 2022-23 B.LEAGUE season
  • B.LEAGUE record: 53 regular season wins
  • Loss just seven games all season
  • Embarked on a 24-game winning streak from December 2022 to March 2023
  • First on offense: scored 87.9 points per game
  • Fifth on defense: conceded 74.8 points per game
  • 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
• EASL 2023-24 Season record: 6-0some text
  • October 11, 2023: 93-75 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)
  • October 18, 2023: 85-82 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)
  • November 1, 2023: 75-66 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)
  • December 13, 2023: 102-69 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL)
  • December 27, 2023: 76-60 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)
  • January 10, 2024: 115-98 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL)
• EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders: some text
  • Points: John Mooney – 23.0 ppg
  • Rebounds: John Mooney – 16.3 rpg
  • Assists: Yuki Togashi – 5.4 apg
  • Steals: Xavier Cooks & D.J. Stephens – 2.3 spg
  • Blocks: D.J. Stephens – 2.7 bpg
• EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:some text
  • Away vs. New Taipei Kings (P.LEAGUE+) – March 8, 2024
• EASL History:some text
  • 2019 Terrific 12: The Jets went 1-1, beating PBA side Blackwater Elite before losing to KBL side Seoul SK Knights.
  • 2018 Terrific 12: The Jets went 0-2, falling to CBA side Guangzhou Loong Lions and KBL side Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus. 
  • 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.

-2023-24 B.LEAGUE Season record: 27-14

• October 5, 2023: 80-63 win over Saga Ballooners
• October 7, 2023: 80-79 win over Saga Ballooners
• October 14, 2023: 93-86 win over Sun Rockers Shibuya
• October 15, 2023: 84-82 win over Sun Rockers Shibuya
• October 21, 2023: 89-66 loss against Yokohama B-Corsairs
• October 22, 2023: 88-70 win over Yokohama B-Corsairs
• October 25, 2023: 87-66 loss against Kawasaki Brave Thunders
• October 28, 2023: 79-69 win over Fighting Eagles Nagoya
• October 29, 2023: 88-73 loss against Fighting Eagles Nagoya
• November 4, 2023: 88-83 loss against SeaHorses Mikawa
• November 5, 2023: 101-90 win over SeaHorses Mikawa
• November 8, 2023: 86-78 win over Gunma Crane Thunders
• November 11, 2023: 95-76 loss against Saga Ballooners
• November 12, 2023: 78-72 win over Saga Ballooners
• November 30, 2023: 87-83 win over Shimane Susanoo Magic
• December 1, 2023: 90-53 loss against Shimane Susanoo Magic
• December 6, 2023: 94-72 win over Ibaraki Robots
• December 9, 2023: 92-61 win over Nagoya Diamond Dolphins
• December 10, 2023: 99-71 loss against Nagoya Diamond Dolphins
• December 16, 2023: 93-88 loss against Sun Rockers Shibuya
• December 17, 2023: 89-75 win over Sun Rockers Shibuya
• December 20, 2023: 78-65 loss against Utsunomiya Brex
• December 23, 2023: 92-76 loss against Sendai 89ers
• December 24, 2023: 96-72 win over Sendai 89ers
• December 30, 2023: 90-81 loss against San-en NeoPhoenix
• December 31, 2023: 96-94 loss against San-en NeoPhoenix
• January 6, 2024: 99-83 win over Kyoto Hannaryz
• January 7, 2024: 83-76 win over Kyoto Hannaryz
• January 17, 2024: 105-73 win over Akita Northern Happinets
• January 20, 2024: 98-79 win over Hokkaido Levanga
• January 21, 2024: 89-82 win over Hokkaido Levanga
• January 27, 2024: 93-92 win over Toyama Grouses
• January 28, 2024: 91-73 win over Toyama Grouses
• January 31, 2024: 75-74 win over Alvark Tokyo
• February 3, 2024: 97-77 win over Osaka Evessa
• February 4, 2024: 89-77 win over Osaka Evessa
• February 7, 2024: 77-58 win over Hokaido Levanga
• February 10, 2024: 89-79 win over Yokohama B-Corsairs
• February 11, 2024: 90-85 loss over Yokohama B-Corsairs
• March 2 2024: 85-79 win over Hiroshima Dragonflies
• March 3, 2024: 88-80 win over Hiroshima Dragonflies  

-B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

• Points: Christopher Smith – 23.0 ppg
• Rebounds: John Mooney – 11.7 rpg
• Assists: Yuki Togashi – 5.0 apg
• Steals: Xavier Cooks – 1.2 spg
• Blocks: Xavier Cooks – 1.2 bpg

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Seoul SK Knights (South Korea – KBL)

- Team History:

• Founded: 1997
• Honors: 3x KBL Champions (1999-00, 2017-18, 2021-22)
• 2x EASL Runners Up (2019 Terrific 12, 2023 EASL Champions Week)

- 2022-23 KBL season:

• Runners-up in the 2022-23 KBL season
• Regular season record: 36-18
• Second in the regular season
• Playoffs: defeated Jeonju KCC Egis 3-0 in quarterfinals; defeated Changwon LG Sakers 3-0 in semifinals; lost to Anyang KGC 4-3 in KBL Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 4-2

• October 18, 2023: 80-79 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
• November 1, 2023: 82-69 win over Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
• November 8, 2023: 90-72 loss against New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)
• December 27, 2023: 81-80 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)
• January 31, 2024: 89-57 win over New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)
• February 7, 2024: 72-62 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

• Points: Jameel Warney – 37.3 ppg
• Rebounds: Leon Williams – 12.2 rpg
• Assists: Kim Sun Hyung – 5.7 apg
• Steals: Leon Williams – 2.5 spg
• Blocks: Jameel Warney – 1.5 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

• EASL Final Four 2024 Semifinals vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL) – March 8, 2024

- EASL History:

• 2023 EASL Champions Week: Seoul SK Knights went 2-1, defeating Bay Area Dragons 92-84 and PBA side TNT Tropang Giga 80-69 in the Group Stage. They lost to KBL side Anyang KGC 90-84 in the Final.
• 2019 Terrific 12: Seoul SK Knights went 3-1, beating PBA side Blackwater Elite and B.LEAGUE side Chiba Jets in the Group Stage. SK defeated CBA side Zhejiang Lions in the semifinals before falling to CBA side Liaoning Flying Leopards in the finals.

- KBL 2023-24 Season record: 27-18

• October 21, 2023: 89-74 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
• October 22, 2023: 85-80 win over Suwon KT Sonicboom
• October 24, 2023: 90-79 win over Goyang Sono Skygunners
• October 27, 2023: 78-67 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• October 29, 2023: 96-94 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• November 4, 2023: 69-50 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
• November 11, 2023: 82-80 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• November 12, 2023: 106-76 loss against Wonju DB Promy
• November 16, 2023: 76-74 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• November 18, 2023: 102-87 win over Suwon KT Sonicboom
• November 20, 2023: 82-75 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• November 24, 2023: 86-80 win over Wonju DB Promy
• November 26, 2023: 84-77 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
• November 30, 2023: 87-73 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
• December 2, 2023: 74-72 loss against Busan KCC Egis
• December 3, 2023: 85-71 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
• December 7, 2023: 78-75 win over Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• December 12, 2023: 91-82 loss against Wonju DB Promy
• December 14, 2023: 81-69 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• December 16, 2023: 85-77 win over Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• December 19, 2023: 85-71 win over Suwon KT Sonicboom
• December 21, 2023: 80-70 win over Goyang Sono Skygunners
• December 23, 2023: 64-62 win over Changwon LG Sakers
• December 25, 2023: 89-74 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• December 30, 2023: 86-68 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
• January 1, 2024: 80-76 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• January 3, 2024: 77-74 win over Busan KCC Egis
• January 5, 2024: 87-61 win over Goyang Sono Skygunners
• January 7, 2024: 83-71 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
• January 9, 2024: 64-57 win over Changwon LG Sakers
• January 11, 2024: 90-75 loss against Busan KCC Egis
• January 18, 2024: 97-94 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• January 20, 2024: 76-68 win over Wonju DB Promy
• January 22, 2024: 88-75 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• January 25, 2024: 68-65 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
• January 27, 2024: 92-87 loss against Busan KCC Egis
• February 3, 2024: 78-76 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
• February 4, 2024: 92-80 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• February 10, 2024: 84-72 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
• February 11, 2024: 80-70 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• February 13, 2024: 82-68 loss against Wonju DB Promy
• February 15, 2024: 76-67 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
• February 28, 2024: 98-66 win over Goyang Sono Skygunners
• March 1, 2024: 79-66 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• March 3, 2024: 90-69 win over Busan KCC Egis

- KBL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

• Points: Jameel Warney – 24.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Jameel Warney – 11.3 rpg
• Assists: Kim Sun Hyung – 6.0 apg
• Steals: An Young Jun – 1.4 spg
• Blocks: Jameel Warney – 1.1 bpg

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Players to Watch

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Chiba Jets

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#2 Yuki Togashi – PG 

• Former NBA G League Player (Texas Legends)
• Japan: B.LEAGUE – Chiba Jetssome text
  • 2019 B.LEAGUE MVP
  • 2017 B.LEAGUE All-Star Game MVP
  • 7x B.LEAGUE Best Five (2017-23)
  • 2x B.LEAGUE Assist Leader (2020, 2022)
  • 2x Emporer's Cup MVP (2019, 2023)
  • 2014 bj league Best Five Team
  • 2014 bj league All-Star Game MVP
• Japan National Basketball Team Captain (2023 FIBA World Cup: Qualified for Olympic Berth)
• EASL 2023-24 Season stats: some text
  • 17.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 5.4 apg
• B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stats:some text
  • 19.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 5.0 apg, 0.9 spg

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#10 Xavier Cooks – F

• USA NCAA Division I: Winthrop (2014-18)some text
  • Winthrop’s all-time rebounder
  • Winthrop's all-time shot-blocker
  • 2018 Big South Player of the Year
  • 2× First-team All-Big South (2017, 2018)
  • 2016 Second-team All-Big South
  • 2015 Big South All-Freshman Team
  • Big South Men's Basketball All-Decade Team (2010–19)
• Former NBA player (Washington Wizards)
• Australia: NBL – Sydney Kingssome text
  • 2× NBL champion (2022, 2023)
  • 2022 NBL Grand Final MVP (2022)
  • 2023 NBL Most Valuable Player (2023)
  • 2023 All-NBL First Team (2023)
  • 2022 All-NBL Second Team (2022)
• New Zealand: NZNBL – Wellington Saintssome text
  • 2022 NZNBL MVP
  • 2022 NZNBL All-Star Five
  • 2022 NZNBL Most Outstanding Forward
• Germany: Basketball Bundesliga - Würzburg Baskets
• EASL 2023-24 Season stats: some text
  • 18.3 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.3 spg
• B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stats:some text
  • 12.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.9 apg

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#33 John Mooney – C

• USA NCAA Division I: Notre Dame (2016-20)some text
  • 2020 First-team All-ACC
  • 2019 Third-team All-ACC
• Australia: NBL (Perth Wildcats)some text
  • 2021 NBL Cup winner
  • 2021 All-NBL First Team
  • 2021 NBL rebounding leader (11.4 rpg)
  • 2021 Perth Wildcats MVP
• EASL 2023-24 Season stats: some text
  • 23.0 ppg, 16.3 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.8 spg
• B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stats:some text
  • 18.8 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.0 spg

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Seoul SK Knights:

#34 Jameel Warney – C

- USA NCAA Division 1: Stony Brook (2012-2016)

• 3x AP honorable mention All-American (2014-2016)
• 3x NCAA America East Player of the Year (2014-2016)
• 3× NCAA All-America East First Team (2014–2016)
• 2× America East Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016)
• 2013 NCAA America East Rookie of the Year
• 2016 NCAA America East tournament MVP
• No. 20 retired by Stony Brook University

- Former NBA player (Dallas Mavericks)

• NBA career stats: 3 games – 5.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg

- Former NBA G-League player (Texas Legends, Westchester Knicks)

• 2018 All-NBA G-League First Team

- 2017 FIBA AmeriCup MVP

- 2017 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year

- South Korea: KBL – Seoul SK Knights

• 3x KBL Import of the Year (2020, 2022, 2023)
• 3x All-KBL Team (2020, 2022, 2023)
• 2023 KBL Top Scorer (24.0 ppg)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 37.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.8 apg

- 2023-24 KBL season stats:

• 24.0 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 4.3 apg

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#22 Oh Jae Hyun – G

- University: South Korea - Hanyang University

- South Korea: KBL – Seoul SK Knights

• 2020-21 KBL Draft: 2nd round, 1st pick
• 2020-21 KBL Rookie of the Year
• 2021-22 KBL Champion

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 6.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.5 apg

- 2023-24 KBL season:

• 11.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.4 apg

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#11 Heo Il Young

- University: South Korea – Konkuk University

- South Korea: KBL – (Daegu Orions – 2009-21, Seoul SK Knights – 2021-)

• 2009 KBL Draft: 2nd overall pick – Daegu Orions
• 2x KBL Champion (2016 – Daegu Orions, 2022 – Seoul SK Knights)

- South Korea National Basketball Team

• Gold Medalist (2014 Asian Games)
• Silver Medalist (2016 William Jones Cup)
• Bronze Medalist (2018 Asian Games)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 12.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.5 apg

- 2023-24 KBL season:

• 8.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.8 apg