Where: Changwon Gymnasium 

When: Thursday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. KST

Team Records: Changwon LG Sakers (0-0) / New Taipei Kings (0-1)

Where to Watch: Ticket Information / Broadcast Information

PROJECTED STARTERS 

Changwon LG Sakers

PG: Yu Ki Sang — 188cm / 86kg

SG: Yang Jun Seok — 180cm / 75kg

SF: Jung In Duk — 186cm / 83kg 

PF: Carl Tamayo — 202cm / 98kg 

C: Assem Marei — 211cm / 114kg 

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New Taipei Kings 

PG: Lin Yan Ting — 185cm / 85kg

SG: Lee Kai Yan — 182cm / 80kg 

SF: Lin Chin Pang — 190cm / 92kg

PF: Jayden Gardner — 210cm / 104kg

C: Sani Sakakini — 204cm / 102kg

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TEAM STATISTIC LEADERS 

Changwon LG Sakers

The Changwon LG Sakers have yet to play an EASL game. LG makes its EASL debut on Oct.  30 against the New Taipei Kings. 

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‍New Taipei Kings 

Points: Jayden Gardner — 29.0
Rebounds: Jayden Gardner — 7.0 

Assists: Lin Yan Ting — 5.0 

Steals: Gardner, Lin, Ryder Hsiung — 1.0

Blocks: Lin, Lee Kai Yan — 1.0 

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THE RUNDOWN 

A new EASL week means another team making its league debut. The 2024–25 KBL champions, the Changwon LG Sakers, will play their first EASL game, hosting the New Taipei Kings. The Kings sit at the bottom of Group C at 0–1 after losing their opener to visiting Alvark Tokyo of the B.LEAGUE.

Domestically, LG are right back where they ended last season, on top of the KBL standings. The Sakers are 7–2 and led by Carl Tamayo’s 18.2 points per game and Assem Marei’s league-leading 15.2 rebounds per game.

New Taipei won’t spiral from a road loss here, but a win would bring them to .500. That would help with a tough turnaround as they play in Ulaanbaatar against Group C leaders Xac Broncos on Saturday, Nov. 1.

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THE LG SAKERS 

One of four new teams in EASL’s home-and-away season, the LG Sakers will be eager to hit the ground running.

Last season, LG beat rivals Seoul SK Knights in a seven-game KBL Finals and returns a similar group, keeping its entire starting five. The backcourt of Yu Ki Sang and Yang Jun Seok is quick and sharpshooting, with Yu drawing extra attention after a standout summer with Team Korea at the FIBA Asia Cup. Asian import Tamayo and import Marei anchor the frontcourt and are already imposing their size and physicality in the KBL in 2025-26. 

Off the bench, big man Micheal Eric adds size and experience in spot minutes. It will also be interesting to see how reigning KBL Finals MVP Heo Il Young performs on the international stage as LG leaned on him for heavy minutes down the stretch to clinch the championship.

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THE KINGS 

The Kings stumbled in their season opener, losing decisively to Alvark Tokyo, but there were bright spots.

New import Jayden Gardner erupted for 29 points, showing he’s an interior force. Sani Sakakini, a 2024–25 All-EASL Team selection, added 24. Their matchup with Carl Tamayo and Assem Marei should be must-watch.

X-factors for New Taipei include Austin Daye, who flashed in the opener and was a key piece during last season’s run to third place, and Lin Yan Ting, who showed promise and may be asked to stand out against LG’s strong guard duo.

One more note for New Taipei’s outlook: a loss here would not end their season, but it would put them in a tough spot. After this, they visit Group C leaders Xac Broncos in Ulaanbaatar on Saturday, Nov 1, a difficult assignment if they enter at 0–2.

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SPOTLIGHT STORYLINE: 

TAMAYO’S ASCENT 

A handful of LG players have EASL experience even though this is the club’s first season in the league. The standout is Carl Tamayo, the starting forward and reigning KBL Best 5 selection. He suited up for Ryukyu in 2023–24, playing limited minutes but still averaging 8.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Check his current KBL line: 18.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists. With that jump, it’s fair to expect a major step forward from Tamayo in his second EASL run in 2025–26.