Game Notes: Group A – Taipei Fubon Braves (1-4) vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (3-2)

February 7, 2024 – Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, Taipei

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Storylines:

1. Can a consolation game jumpstart Fubon domestically?‍

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While this game may not impact the EASL standings, the Taipei Fubon Braves will look to use it to spark the team’s season.

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The three-time defending P. LEAGUE+ champions have not performed to their usual dominant standards this season.

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Sporting a mediocre 10-9 record domestically, the team is currently third in the P. LEAGUE+ standings, trailing their EASL rivals the New Taipei Kings and the Formosa Dreamers.

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Dating back to December 17, they have lost eight of their last 14 games in EASL and P. LEAGUE+ combined, including defeats to the Group A basement dwellers TNT Tropang Giga and the Group A leaders the Chiba Jets.

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The Braves still have 22 P. LEAGUE+ games to go after their clash with Jung Kwan Jang. Can a strong performance help rally a turnaround for the champions of Chinese Taipei?

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2. Jung Kwan Jang needs a spark too‍

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The Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters were extremely strong last season, winning the EASL Champions Week while also taking home the KBL crown.

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This season is a different story.

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After starting this season with an impressive 10-4 record in the EASL and the KBL combined, Anyang has won just six of their following 29 games since November 24.

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Two of their six wins came against TNT Tropang Giga in EASL.

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Jung Kwan Jang has already booked a ticket to the Final Four in Cebu, Philippines in March. But the team could do with more wins to build momentum.

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Beating the Braves on Wednesday would help.

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3. Carter wins EASL Player of the Month in January‍

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Jung Kwan Jang forward Robert Carter Jr. was named EASL’s January Player of the Month.

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Carter has been a focal point in the Red Boosters’ offense since joining the team as a replacement for EASL Champions Week MVP Omari Spellman. Spellman left the team in December following a series of poor performances and injuries.

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In the two EASL games Carter played in January, he averaged 24.5 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and recorded 4.5 assists per game, helping Anyang book a ticket to the Final Four.

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Jung Kwan Jang will continue to rely on their big man if they want to make it deep into the Final Four.‍

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Players to Watch‍

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Taipei Fubon Braves (Chinese Taipei: P. LEAGUE)‍

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#5 Chris Johnson – PF

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- USA NCAA Division 1: Louisiana State (2005-2009)

• 2009 SEC All-Defensive Team

- Former NBA player (Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, New Orleans Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves)

• NBA career stats: 71 games – 2.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg

- Former NBA D League player (Dakota Wizards, Santa Cruz Warriors)

• 2011 All-NBA D-League First Team
• 2011 NBA D-League Defensive Player of the Year
• 2011 NBA D-League All-Defensive First Team
• 2011 NBA D-League All-Star

- Chinese Taipei: P. LEAGUE+ - Taipei Fubon Braves

• 3x P. LEAGUE+ champion (Taipei Fubon Braves: 2021, 2022, 2023)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 22.0 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.7 bpg

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ season stats:

• 18.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.6 apg

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#17 Michael Singletary – PF

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- USA NCAA Division 1: Texas Tech (2007-2011)

- Former NBA D League player (Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Erie Bayhawks)

• 2013 NBA D-League champion (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)

- Chinese Taipei: P. LEAGUE+ - Taipei Fubon Braves

• 3× P. LEAGUE+ champion (2021, 2022, 2023)
• 2× P. LEAGUE+ Finals MVP (2021, 2022)

- Thailand League: Mono Vampire

• 2017 Thailand League champion
• 2017 Thailand League MVP
• 2x Thailand Basketball Super League (2017, 2018)
• 2018 Thailand Basketball Super League MVP

- Italy: Serie A2 - Basket Ravenna Piero Manetti

• 2015 Serie A2 Basket All-Star

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 27.5 ppg, 14.0 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.0 spg

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ season stats:

• 21.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.4 spg

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#2 Sedrick Barefield – PG

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- USA NCAA Division 1: SMU (2015-16), Utah (2016-19)

• 2019 First-Team All-Pac 12 (Utah)

- Former NBA G League player (Oklahoma City Blue)

- Previous teams played:

• Lithuania (LKL: Nevėžis Kėdainiai)
• Greece (GBL: Apollon Patras)
• Chinese Taipei (T1 League: Tainan TSG GhostHawks)
• EASL (Bay Area Dragons)
• Guinea (BAL: SLAC)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 17.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.4 apg

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ season stats:

• 6.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 4.0 apg‍

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

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#4 Robert Carter Jr. – PF

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

- Career team history:

• Italy: Serie A – Enel Brindisi (2016-17)
• Lithuania: LKL – Lietuvos rytas (2017)
• Turkey: TBL – Gaziantep Basketbol (2017-18)
• Turkey: TBSL – Afyon Belediye S.K. (2018-19)
• Japan: B.LEAGUE – Shimane Susanoo Magic (2019-20); Yokohama B-Corsairs (2020-21); San-en NeoPhoenix (2021-22)
• Israel: BSL – Bnei Herzliya (2022-23)
• South Korea: KBL – Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (2023-)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 24.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.5 apg

- 2023-24 KBL season stats:

• 19.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.4 apg

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#99 Jamil Wilson – SF

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- USA NCAA Division I: Oregon (2009-10); Marquette (2011-14)

- Former NBA player (Los Angeles Clippers)

• NBA career stats: 7.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 10 starts

- Former NBA D-League/G League player (Bakersfield Jam, Texas Legends, Agua Caliente Clippers, Fort Wayne Mad Ants)

- Career team history:

• Puerto Rico: BSN – Cangrejeros de Santurce (2016); Piratas de Quebradillas (2022); Vaqueros de Bayamón (2023); Leones de Ponce (2023);
• Italy: Serie A - Auxilium Pallacanestro Torino (2016-17, 2018-19); Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2018); Virtus Roma (2020)
• Russia: VTB United League - UNICS Kazan (2019-20)
• Israel: BSL – Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. (2020-21); Liga Leumit – Maccabi Rishon Lezion (2021-22)
• Mexico: LNBP – Plateros de Fresnillo (2022, 2023)
• Lithuania: LKL – Labas GAS (2022-23)
• Venezuela: SPB – Guaros de Lara (2023)
• Philippines: PBA – Converge FiberXers (2023-24)
• South Korea: KBL – Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (2024-)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 15.0 ppg, 14.0 rpg, 4.0 apg

- 2023-24 KBL season stats:

• 9.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 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:

• 9.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 5.8 apg

- 2023-24 KBL season stats:

• 12.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.2 apg‍

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By the Numbers‍

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Taipei Fubon Braves (Chinese Taipei – P. LEAGUE+)

- Team History:

• Founded: 1982

• 3x P. LEAGUE+ Championships (2021, 2022, 2023)
• 1x SBL Championship (2019)

- 2023 P. LEAGUE+ Champions

• Regular Season: 25-15 record, 2nd in P. LEAGUE+
• Playoffs: defeated Taoyuan Pauian Pilots 3-0 in semifinals; defeated New Taipei Kings 4-2 in finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 1-4

• October 18, 2023: 82-85 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)
• October 25, 2023: 98-77 loss against Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL)
• November 15, 2023: 106-97 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)
• December 20, 2023: 80-69 loss against TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)
• December 27, 2023: 76-60 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

• Points: Michael Singletary – 27.5 ppg
• Rebounds: Michael Singletary – 14.0 rpg
• Assists: Michael Singletary – 5.0 apg
• Steals: 3 players – 2.0 spg
• Blocks: Chris Johnson – 1.7 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

• Home vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL) – February 7, 2024

- EASL History:

• 2023 EASL Champions Week: Braves went 0-2, losing to KBL side Anyang KGC and B.LEAGUE side Ryukyu Golden Kings
• 2018 Terrific 12 (an EASL competition): Braves went 1-1, defeating CBA side Shandong Golden Stars and losing to KBL side Seoul Samsung Thunders

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Season record: 10-9

• November 11, 2023: 89-96 loss against New Taipei Kings
• November 12, 2023: 115-94 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
• November 19, 2023: 89-86 loss against Formosa Dreamers
• November 26, 2023: 99-84 win over Hsinchu Lioneers
• December 2, 2023: 90-76 loss against Formosa Dreamers
• December 9, 2023: 93-80 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
• December 16, 2023: 111-104 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
• December 17, 2023: 103-102 loss against Hsinchu Lioneers
• December 23, 2023: 111-106 loss against New Taipei Kings
• December 31, 2023: 104-96 win over New Taipei Kings
• January 7, 2024: 100-71 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
• January 9, 2024: 96-87 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
• January 14, 2024: 94-84 win over Formosa Dreamers
• January 20, 2024: 77-72 loss against Hsinchu Lioneers
• January 27, 2024: 103-98 win over Formosa Dreamers
• January 28, 2024: 106-83 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
• January 31, 2024: 111-104 win over Formosa Dreamers
• February 3, 2024: 90-89 loss against Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
• February 4, 2024: 109-103 win over Hsinchu Lioneers

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ season stat leaders:

• Points: Michael Singletary – 21.2 ppg
• Rebounds: Stephen Zimmerman – 10.0 rpg
• Assists: Michael Singletary – 4.5 apg
• Steals: Lai Ting-En – 1.7 spg
• Blocks: Justin Patton – 1.0 bpg‍

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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: 3-2

• October 25, 2023: 98-77 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)
• December 6, 2023: 105-97 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)
• December 13, 2023: 102-69 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)
• January 10, 2024: 115-98 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)
• January 24, 2024: 88-76 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

• Points: Robert Carter Jr. – 24.5 ppg
• Rebounds: Jamil Wilson – 14.0 rpg
• Assists: Park Ji Hoon – 5.8 apg
• Steals: Park Ji Hoon – 1.2 spg
• Blocks: Jamil Wilson – 3.0 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

• 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: 13-25

• 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
• December 9, 2023: 93-78 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• December 10, 2023: 88-83 loss against Wonju DB Promy
• December 16, 2023: 84-75 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• December 18, 2023: 91-80 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• December 22, 2023: 104-75 loss against Busan KCC Egis
• December 24, 2023: 113-85 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
• December 26, 2023: 94-75 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
• December 28, 2023: 85-81 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
• December 30, 2023: 86-68 loss against Seoul SK Knights
• December 31, 2023: 93-86 loss against Wonju DB Promy
• January 2, 2024: 84-80 win over Changwon LG Sakers
• January 4, 2024: 81-70 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• January 7, 2024: 83-71 loss against Seoul SK Knights
• January 17, 2024: 93-86 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
• January 19, 2024: 86-77 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• January 21, 2024: 114-90 win over Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• January 27, 2024: 94-78 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
• January 29, 2024: 108-99 loss against Busan KCC Egis
• February 2, 2024: 81-75 loss against Busan KCC Egis
• February 4, 2024: 99-84 loss against Wonju DB Promy

- 2023-24 KBL season stat leaders:

• Points: Robert Carter Jr. – 19.5 ppg
• Rebounds: Robert Carter Jr. – 8.8 rpg
• Assists: Choi Seong Won – 4.3 apg
• Steals: Robert Carter Jr. & Park Ji Hoon – 1.3 spg
• Blocks: Rhenz Abando – 0.9 bpg