Heo Ung Named EASL POTM for December, TOTM Features 5 First-Time Honorees

Busan KCC Egis’ Heo Ung has been named the East Asia Super League (EASL) Player of the Month for December after his 31-point performance in a 72-68 victory over the Meralco Bolts on Dec. 18.

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Trailing 68-55 with just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Heo went on a miraculous 14-0 run, draining four consecutive 3-pointers before converting a decisive go-ahead layup, securing Busan KCC’s first-ever win in EASL.

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Heo’s historic performance also earned him a spot on the EASL Team of the Month for December. Joining him are Ryuichi Kishimoto of the Ryukyu Golden Kings, Jeremy Lin of the New Taipei Kings, Dwayne Evans II of the Hiroshima Dragonflies, and Chris McLaughlin of Hong Kong Eastern. Notably, all five players selected are making their first appearance in the Team of the Month.

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Kishimoto played a pivotal role in Ryukyu becoming the first team this season to secure a Final Four spot. He averaged 15 points and three assists across two Golden Kings victories, keeping them atop the Group B standings as the only undefeated team in EASL at 4-0. In Ryukyu’s Christmas Day win over New Taipei, Kishimoto earned Player of the Game honors, scoring 20 points, including six made 3-pointers.

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Although New Taipei suffered its second loss of the campaign and fell to 1-2 for the season, Lin excelled in December, averaging 22.5 points, seven rebounds, and five assists per game. The former NBA standout shined at the EASL’s inaugural Macau Classic on Dec. 11, leading his team with 27 points in a commanding 114-95 victory over the Macau Black Bears. Despite the Christmas Day loss to Ryukyu, Lin still delivered a solid performance, contributing 18 points.

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Dwayne Evans II made a strong impression in his EASL debut on Dec. 4, scoring 19 points in a close 80-78 loss. However, he and the Hiroshima Dragonflies rebounded impressively on Christmas Day with a commanding 84-73 victory over the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, fueled by Evans’ game-high 33 points. With a 3-1 record, Hiroshima now leads Group A.

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Chris McLaughlin earned his place in this month’s Team of the Month by guiding Hong Kong Eastern to its first win of the 2024-25 EASL season after an 0-2 start. The forward delivered a dominant double-double, posting 16 points and 17 rebounds in a 71-62 triumph over the San Miguel Beermen on Dec. 18.

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December’s action featured 10 teams competing across eight exciting matchups. EASL play resumes on Jan. 7 with back-to-back games on consecutive days. Hong Kong Eastern will host the Suwon KT Sonicboom in a Group A showdown on Jan. 7. The following day, the Hiroshima Dragonflies will face the San Miguel Beermen at Hiroshima Sun Plaza, while the New Taipei Kings take on the Ryukyu Golden Kings at New Taipei Xinzhuang Gymnasium.