Game Notes: Group B – Seoul SK Knights (0-1) vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (1-0)

Written by EASL

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SK Knights seek to avenge their Golden Kings loss in a rematch at home

November 1, 2023 – Goyang Sono Arena, Goyang, Korea

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Storylines:

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Rematch of Gameday 2 – Will SK Knights get their revenge?

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Seoul SK Knights paid a visit to Okinawa for Gameday 2, and despite a 39-point effort from star center Jameel Warney, they ultimately fell to the Ryukyu Golden Kings, 80-79, with Keita Imamura recording a team-high of 18 points.

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With the Knights hosting the Golden Kings this week, will their fortunes reverse as well?

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Can the Knights battle without Warney?

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Knights center Jameel Warney has been unstoppable in both league and EASL play. In Gameday 2, he scored a game-high 39 points against the Golden Kings on 51% shooting.

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Unfortunately, Warney has missed the past two KBL games with an injury and is slated to sit out against Ryukyu on Wednesday.

Who will step up as their dominant big man looks on from the sidelines?

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Vic Law injured, Jack Cooley returns

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The Ryukyu Golden Kings will be playing without import Vic Law for the next four weeks after he was diagnosed with a left patellar ligament injury. Law has been one of the Golden Kings’ best players in his first season with the team, leading with 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds in five B.LEAGUE games this season. Law also contributed with 14 points and 13 rebounds against SK Knights two weeks ago.

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On the bright side, Ryukyu got some good news as 2022-23 B.LEAGUE rebounding champion Jack Cooley was activated off the B.LEAGUE injured list on October 24 after he was diagnosed with a right patellar ligament injury to start the season. Former NBA pro Cooley led the league with 12.7 rebounds last season.

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How will the team adjust to Law’s loss and Cooley’s return?

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By the Numbers:

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Ryukyu Golden Kings:

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- 2023 B.LEAGUE Champions

Regular season record: 48-12
B.LEAGUE West District Champions
Playoffs: defeated Nagoya Diamond Dolphins 2-0 in quarterfinals; defeated Yokohama B-Corsairs 2-0 in semifinals; defeated to Chiba Jets 2-0 in B.LEAGUE Finals

- EASL History:

2023 EASL Champions Week: Ryukyu Golden Kings went 2-1, defeating PBA side San Miguel Beermen 96-68 and P. LEAGUE+ side Taipei Fubon Braves 83-78 in the Group Stage. They lost to Bay Area Dragons 90-70 in the Third Place Game.
2019 Terrific 12 (an EASL competition): Ryukyu Golden Kings went 0-2, falling to CBA side Shenzhen Aviators and PBA side San Miguel Beermen.
2018 Terrific 12 (EASL competition): Ryukyu Golden Kings went 4-0, defeating the PBA D League All Stars and CBA side Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Group Stage. They defeated B.LEAGUE side Nagoya Diamond Dolphins in the semifinals before defeating CBA side Guangzhou Loong Lions in the Finals to win the tournament.
2017 Super 8 (EASL competition): Ryukyu Golden Kings went 3-2, defeating KBL side Goyang Orions, SBL (Super Basketball League – Chinese Taipei) side Taoyuan Pauian Archiland and CBA side Shenzhen Leopards in the Group Stage. They lost to CBA side Zhejiang Lions in the semifinals before losing to Goyang Orions in the Third Place Game.

- Team History:

2022-23 B.LEAGUE Champions
2018 EASL Super 8 Champions
4x Japan bj league Champions (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016)

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 1-0

October 18, 2023: 80-79 win over Seoul SK Knights

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Keita Imamura – 18.0 ppg
Rebounds: Vic Law – 13.0 rpg
Assists: Vic Law – 6.0 apg
Steals: 3 players – 1.0 spg
Blocks: Alex Kirk – 1.0 bpg

- B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season record: 7-2

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: 84-65 win over Toyama Grouses
October 29, 2023: 85-59 win over Toyama Grouses

- B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Vic Law – 17.6 ppg
Rebounds: Jack Cooley – 9.5 rpg
Assists: Allen Durham – 4.1 apg
Steals: 4 players – 0.6 spg
Blocks: Alex Kirk– 1.0 bpg

Seoul SK Knights:

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- 2022-23 KBL season:

Runners up in 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 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.

- Team History:

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

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 0-1

October 18, 2023: 80-79 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jameel Warney – 39.0 ppg
Rebounds: Jameel Warney & Leon Williams – 10.0 rpg
Assists: Oh Jae Hyun – 5.0 apg
Steals: Leon Williams – 4.0 spg
Blocks: Jameel Warney – 2.0 bpg

- KBL 2023-24 Season record: 3-2

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

- KBL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jameel Warney – 34.0 ppg
Rebounds: Jameel Warney – 13.7 rpg
Assists: Kim Sun Hyung – 7.0 apg
Steals: Juan Gómez de Liaño – 1.5 spg
Blocks: Kim Sun Hyung & Choi Buk Yung – 0.4 bpg

Players to Watch:

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Seoul SK Knights:

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#41 Oh Se Keun– C

South Korea: KBL

4× KBL champion (2012, 2017, 2021, 2023)
2017 KBL regular season champion
2012 KBL Rookie of the Year
3x KBL Playoffs MVP (2012, 2017, 2023)
2017 KBL MVP
3x KBL Best 5 (2012, 2017, 2018)

- South Korea Men's National Basketball Team

2017 FIBA Asia Cup All-Tournament Team

- 2023-24 KBL season:

6.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.6 apg

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#5 Kim Sun Hyung – PG

- South Korea (KBL): Seoul SK Knights

2x KBL Champion (2017-18, 2021-22)
2013 KBL regular season champion
2x KBL MVP (2013, 2023)
2023 KBL Guard of the Year
2011 KBL Draft: 2^nd overall pick

- 2023-24 KBL season:

13.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 7.0 apg, 1.2 spg

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#11 Heo Il Young – SF

- 2008 KBA Basketball Festival Men’s Top Scorer Award

- 2010 Sports Toto Korea Basketball Awards Rookie of the Year Award

- 2013 3rd EABA East Asia Men's Basketball Champion

- South Korea: KBL

South Korea: 2009 KBL Draft: 2^nd overall pick
South Korea: 2x KBL Champion (2015-16 – Goyang Orions; 2021-22 – Seoul SK Knights)
South Korea National Basketball Team (2016 William Jones Cup)

- 2007 Summer Universiade Basketball Men

- South Korea Men's National Basketball Team