Game Notes: Group A – Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (1-0) vs. TNT Tropang Giga (0-3)

December 6, 2023 – Anyang Gymnasium, Anyang, South Korea

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Storylines:

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1. When will Spellman start firing?

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EASL Champions Week MVP Omari Spellman returned to action last week after a knee injury suffered during preseason. The big man, who averaged 31.3 points in three games during Champions Week, has struggled out of the gate, averaging just 9.3 points in three games since his return.

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His team has not been performing up to last season’s standard. Jung Kwan Jang, champions of both EASL Champions Week and the KBL last season, are on a five-game slide in the KBL. They are on a 9-9 record for fifth in the league standings.

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Spellman will need to step up and return to his Champions Week form if the Red Boosters are to bounce back from their November drought.

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2. Quincy Miller’s last game for TNT

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Import Quincy Miller has shone for TNT Tropang Giga since joining the club in early November.

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The 208 cm (6’8”) forward averaged 26 points and 9.7 rebounds in three EASL games this season. In the PBA, Miller scored 37 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and recorded two blocks and four steals in his lone game against Magnolia Hotshots.

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Unfortunately for TNT, this will be the last game in which Miller dons the jersey. He is reported to be heading to the Japanese B.LEAGUE to play for the Toyama Grouses after this contest.

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3. RHJ is on fire

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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, a former NBA first-round pick, has performed admirably since his last EASL game against Taipei Fubon Braves on November 15.

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The 198 cm (6’4”) forward is averaging 39.6 points in his last three games in the PBA. However, his team was only able to win one of those games and are now placed seventh in the PBA with a 2-3 record.

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The Jordan National Team star will need more help from his teammates if TNT are to secure their first victory in EASL this season.

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By the Numbers

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

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- Team History:

• Founded: 1992
• EASL Champions Week Champions (2023)
• 4x KBL Champions (2011-12, 2016-17, 2020-21, 2022-23)

- 2023 KBL Champions

• Regular Season: 37-17 record, 1st in KBL
• Playoffs: defeated Goyang Day One Jumpers 3-1 in semifinals; defeated Seoul SK Knights 4-3 in Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 1-0

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

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

• Points: Bae Byung Jun – 18.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Darryl Monroe – 9.0 rpg
• Assists: Darryl Monroe – 10.0 apg
• Steals: 5 Players – 1.0 spg
• Blocks: Rhenz Abando & Jung Joon Won – 1.0 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

• Home vs. TNT Tropang Giga (PBA) – December 6, 2023
• Home vs. Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE) – December 13, 2023
• Away vs. Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE) – January 10, 2024
• Away vs. TNT Tropang Giga (PBA) – January 24, 2024
• Away vs. Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+) – February 7, 2024

- 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.

- 2023-24 KBL Season record: 9-9

• October 21, 2023: 89-74 loss against Seoul SK Knights
• October 28, 2023: 63-59 win over Suwon KT Sonicboom
• October 31, 2023: 86-75 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• November 2, 2023: 96-74 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• November 4, 2023: 84-82 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
• November 5, 2023: 91-80 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• November 7, 2023: 74-72 win over Busan KCC Egis
• November 10, 2023: 99-94 win over Wonju DB Promy
• November 12, 2023: 85-71 win over Changwon LG Sakers
• November 14, 2023: 81-63 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• November 17, 2023: 106-77 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
• November 19, 2023: 84-74 win over Busan KCC Egis
• November 21, 2023: 98-93 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• November 24, 2023: 94-85 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
• November 26, 2023: 97-80 loss against Wonju DB Promy
• November 28, 2023: 86-82 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
• December 1, 2023: 108-77 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• December 3, 2023: 85-71 loss against Seoul SK Knights

- 2023-24 KBL Season stat leaders:

• Points: Park Ji Hoon – 13.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Darryl Monroe – 6.8 rpg
• Assists: Choi Sung Won – 4.1 apg
• Steals: Park Ji Hoon – 1.2 spg
• Blocks: Du’Vaughn Maxwell – 1.4 bpg

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‍TNT Tropang Giga (Philippines – PBA)

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- Team History:

• Founded: 1990
• 9 PBA Championships (1998 Centennial, 2003 All-Filipino, 2008-09 Philippine Cup, 2010-11 Philippine Cup, 2011 Commissioner’s, 2011-12 Philippine Cup, 2012-13 Philippine Cup, 2015 Commissioner’s Cup, 2021 Philippine Cup, 2023 Governors’ Cup)
• 22 PBA Finals appearances

- 2022-23 PBA Governors’ Cup

• 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Champions
• Elimination Round: 10-1 record, 1^st in PBA
• First on offense: scored 115.9 points per game
• Playoffs: defeated Phoenix Super LPG 132-105 in quarterfinals; defeated Meralco Bolts 3-1 in semifinals; defeated Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 4-2 in Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 0-3

• October 11, 2023: 93-75 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)
• November 1, 2023: 75-66 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)
• November 15, 2023: 106-97 loss against Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

• Points: Quincy Miller – 26.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Quincy Miller – 9.7 rpg
• Assists: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 7.5 apg
• Steals: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 2.5 spg
• Blocks: Calvin Oftana & Rondae Hollis-Jefferseon – 1.0 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

• Away vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL) – December 6, 2023
• Away vs. Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+) – December 20, 2023
• Home vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL) – January 24, 2024

- EASL History:

• 2023 EASL Champions Week: TNT went 0-2, losing to B.LEAGUE side Utsunomiya Brex and KBL side Seoul SK Knights
• 2019 Terrific 12: TNT went 1-1, falling to CBA side Liaoning Flying Leopards and beating B.LEAGUE side Niigata Albirex

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season record: 2-3

• November 5, 2023: 110-102 loss against Magnolia Hotshots
• November 11, 2023: 101-98 win over Converge FiberXers
• November 22, 2023: 133-93 win over Terrafirma Dyip
• November 26, 2023: 109-95 loss against Meralco Bolts
• December 1, 2023: 128-123 loss against NorthPort Batang Pier

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season stat leaders:

• Points: Quincy Miller – 37.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Quincy Miller – 14.0 rpg
• Assists: Matthew Ganuelas-Rosser – 6.0 apg
• Steals: Quincy Miller – 4.0 spg
• Blocks: Quincy Miller & Matthew Ganuelas-Rosser – 2.0 bpg

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Players to Watch

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Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters

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#14 Omari Spellman – PF

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- South Korea (Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters)

• 2023 EASL Champions Week Champion
• 2023 EASL Champions Week MVP
• 2023 KBL Champions (Anyang KGC)

- USA NCAA Division 1: Villanova (2017-2018)

• 2018 NCAA Big East Player of the Year
• 2018 NCAA Champion

- Former NBA player (Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors)

• 2018 NBA Draft: 1st round, 30th overall pick – Atlanta Hawks
• NBA career stats: 6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg; NBA career-best season: 7.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg (Golden State Warriors – 2019-20)

- Former NBA G League player (Iowa Wolves, Erie Bayhawks)

- 2016 Jordan Brand Classic

- 2016 5-star high school recruit, No. 16 in 2016 ESPN Top 100

- Lebanon Men’s National Basketball Team

- 2023-24 KBL Stats:

• 9.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.3 apg

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#86 Darryl Monroe – PF/C

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- USA NCAA Division 1: George Mason (2006-09)

• 2009 Second-team All-CAA

- Turkish First League champion (2018)

- Israeli League: Maccabi Rishon LeZion - 2016

• 2016 Israeli League champion
• 2016 Israeli League MVP
• 2016 Israeli Basketball Premier League Finals MVP
• 2016 All-Israeli League First Team
• 2016 FIBA Europe Cup Starting Five

- Italy A2 League: Scaligera Verona - 2015

• 2015 Italian Second League MVP
• 2015 Italian Second Cup winner

- France: Boulazac Dordogne - 2013

• 2013 French League All-Star

- South Korea: Anyang KGC

• 2023 KBL champion
• 2023 EASL Champions Week champion

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 17.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 10.0 apg, 1.0 spg

- 2023-24 KBL Stats:

• 11.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.6 apg

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#6 Park Ji Hoon – PG

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- University: Chung-Ang University

• Korea: 2^nd in KUSF Scoring (2017)

- South Korea: KBL

• 2016 KBL Draft: 6^th overall pick (Busan KT Sonicboom)
• Korea: 2x KBL Champion (Anyang KGC: 2020-21, 2022-23)

- South Korea National Basketball Team

• 39th Lee Sang Baek Cup Korea x Japan University Basketball Tournament National Team
• 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade men's Basketball Team

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 11.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg

- 2023-24 KBL Stats:

• 13.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.2 spg

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TNT Tropang Giga

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#14 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – SF

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- USA NCAA Division 1: Arizona (2013-2015)

• 2015 First Team All-Pac-12
• 2014 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team
• 2015 NCAA Tournament West Region All-Tournament Team

- Former NBA player (Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers)

• 2015 NBA Draft: 1st round, 23rd overall pick – Portland Trail Blazers
• NBA career stats: 9.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg; NBA career-best season: 13.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg (Brooklyn Nets – 2017-18)

- Philippines: TNT Tropang Giga

• 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Champion

• 2023 PBA Governors' Cup Best Import of the Conference

- 2013 McDonald’s All-American; 2013 Jordan Brand Classic

- 2016 5-star high school recruit

- Jordan Men’s National Basketball Team (2023 FIBA World Cup)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 24.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 7.5 apg, 2.5 spg

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup season stats:

• 33.3 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 5.3 apg

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#30 Quincy Miller – PF

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- USA NCAA Division 1: Baylor (2011-12)

• 2012 NCAA Big 12 All-Rookie Team

- Former NBA player (Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons)

• 2015 NBA Draft: 2nd round, 38th overall pick – Denver Nuggets
• NBA career stats: 4.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg; NBA career-best season: 4.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg (Denver Nuggets – 2013-14)

- Former NBA D-League player (Iowa Energy, Reno Bighorns, Grand Rapids Drive)

• 2015 NBA D-League All-Star

- Serbia: Crvena zvezda

• 2016 All-EuroLeague Second Team
• 2016 ABA League champion
• 2016 Serbian League champion

- Israel: Maccabi Tel Aviv

• 2017 Israeli Cup winner

- 2011 Jordan Brand Classic All-American

- 2010 5-star high school recruit

- USA U-18 Men’s National Basketball Team (2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship: Gold)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 26.0 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.3 spg

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup season stats:

• 37.0 ppg, 14.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 4.0 spg, 2.0 bpg

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#12 Calvin Oftana – F

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- University: San Beda University (Philippines NCAA)

• 3× NCAA Philippines champion (2016–2018)
• 2019 NCAA Philippines MVP
• 2019 NCAA Philippines Mythical Team

- 2020 PBA Draft: 3^rd overall pick - NLEX Road Warriors

• PBA champion (2023 Governors')
• PBA All-Star (2023)
• PBA Second Mythical Team (2023)
• PBA All-Rookie Team (2021)

- Philippines National Team

• 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games (Gold Medal)
• 2023 Phnom Penh Southeast Asian Games (Gold Medal)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 11.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.0 apg

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup season stats:

• 17.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.0 spg