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

October 18, 2023 – Okinawa Arena, Okinawa, Japan

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Storylines:

Both teams look for redemption after disappointing EASL Champions Week.

1. The 2023 EASL Champions Week saw both Ryukyu Golden Kings and Seoul SK Knights fall in their respective final games. The co-hosts Golden Kings were strong in Group A, winning both their games to place second and go into the third-place game. However, they ultimately fell to the Bay Area Dragons 90-70, failing to get onto the podium on their home court.

Seoul SK Knights also won both their group stage games to come away as winners of Group B. In the Final against KBL rivals Anyang KGC, they fell 90-84 to finish runners-up of the tournament.

Will both teams have a better showing in the new EASL season?

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Golden Kings come out strong domestically.

2. The Ryukyu Golden Kings are a perfect 4-0 to start the new B.LEAGUE season after wins over Saga Ballooners and Sun Rockers Shibuya. Can the defending B.LEAGUE champions keep their momentum going at home against Seoul SK Knights?

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Will the Knights’ big spending pay off?

3. The Knights spent KRW 750 million (US$588,000) to pry two-time KBL Finals MVP Oh Se Keun away from rivals Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters this offseason. Oh is coming off Finals MVP honors after averaging 16.1 points and 10 rebounds in seven games against his current team. Can he translate his KBL playoff success to EASL?

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By the Numbers:

Ryukyu Golden Kings

- 2023 B.LEAGUE Champions

- 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.

- 2022-23 B.LEAGUE season:

• 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

- Team History:

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

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Seoul SK Knights

- Runners up in 2022-23 KBL season

- 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.

- 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

- Team History:

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

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Players to Watch:

Ryukyu Golden Kings:

#53 Alex Kirk – C

- USA NCAA Division 1: New Mexico (2010-2014)

- Former NBA player (Cleveland Cavaliers)

- Former NBA G League player (Canton Charge)

- Japan: 2× B.LEAGUE champion (Alvark Tokyo: 2018, 2019)

- FIBA Asia Champions Cup MVP (Alvark Tokyo: 2019)

- Japanese National Team (FIBA Asia Champions Cup: Silver-2018, Gold-2019)

- 2023-24 B.LEAGUE season:

• 4 games: 13.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 67% FG

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#4 Vic Law – SF

- USA NCAA Division 1: Northwestern (2014-2019)

- Former NBA player (Orlando Magic)

- All-NBA G League Third Team (Lakeland Magic: 2020)

- Australia: All-NBL First Team (Perth Wildcats: 2022)

- 2023-24 B.LEAGUE season:

• 4 games: 17.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.0 apg

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#14 Ryuichi Kishimoto – PG

- Former NBA G League Player (Texas Legends)

- Japan: 2014 bj league Rookie of the Year

- Japan: 2014 bj league Playoff MVP

- Japan: Ryukyu Golden Kings Captain

- Japanese National Basketball Team (2016 William Jones Cup)

- 2023-24 B.LEAGUE season:

• 4 games: 12.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.8 apg

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Seoul SK Knights:

#41 Oh Se Keun – C  

- South Korea: 4× KBL champion (2012, 2017, 2021, 2023)

- South Korea: 2017 KBL regular season champion

- South Korea: 2012 KBL Rookie of the Year Award

- South Korea: 3× KBL Playoffs MVP (2012, 2017, 2023)

- South Korea: 2017 KBL Most Valuable Player

- South Korea: 3× KBL Best 5 (2012, 2017, 2018)

- 2017 FIBA Asia Cup All-Tournament Team (South Korea)

#5 Kim Sun Hyung – PG

- South Korea: 2018 KBL Championship

- South Korea: 2013 KBL regular season champion

- South Korea: 2x KBL MVP (2013, 2023)

- South Korea: 2023 KBL Guard of the Year

#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: 3x KBL Import of the Year (2020, 2022, 2023)

- South Korea: 3x All-KBL Team (2020, 2022, 2023)

- South Korea: 2023 KBL Top Scorer (24.0 ppg)