In Group A, Japan’s reigning champions, the Utsunomiya Brex, lead the field. Joining them are the Taipei Fubon Braves and the Seoul SK Knights, runners-up in the P. LEAGUE+ (Chinese Taipei) and KBL (South Korea), respectively. Completing the group are Hong Kong Eastern, back for their second consecutive EASL campaign.

This season marks the Brex’s long-awaited EASL debut, with the B.LEAGUE champions already considered among the early favorites. The Braves and Knights return after a one-year absence, having last competed in the inaugural 2023–24 season, a run that saw Seoul SK reach the championship game.

Here’s a first look at Group A: 

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Utsunomiya Brex 

Utsunomiya was tied with Alvark as the two winningest franchises in Japan’s B.LEAGUE until the Brex claimed the 2024–25 title — their third — securing the undisputed No. 1 spot. 

Following a hugely successful 2024–25 season, Utsunomiya returns nearly all of its key players, including two-time B.LEAGUE MVP D.J. Newbill and veteran star Makoto Hiejima. Role players Gavin Edwards, Yusuke Endo and Isaac Fotu will be vital to the Brex’s success, while Grant Jarrett continues to establish himself as one of Japan’s top imports.

Utsunomiya opens the 2025-26 season on the road against the Taipei Fubon Braves on Oct. 8.

Utsunomiya’s Projected Depth Chart: 

HC: Zico Coronel 

PG: D.J. Newbill / Atsuya Ogawa / Seiji Ikaruga / Yudai Isihikawa / Yuta Tabuse
SG: Makoto Hiejima / Shinji Takashima 

SF: Yusuke Endo / Kaisei Oshikawa 

PF: Grant Jarrett / Isaac Fotu / Blake Aoki 

C: Gavin Edwards / Kosuke Takeuchi 

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Taipei Fubon Braves 

The Taipei Fubon Braves are one of the most established and well-known names in Chinese Taipei basketball, as well as the winningest franchise in the P. LEAGUE+ with three championships. They play their home games at Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium.

Fubon’s roster is anchored by a strong core of veterans, with Lin Chih-Chieh — nicknamed “The Beast” — as the headliner name. Another key player is forward Chou Kuei-Yu, a Chinese Taipei national team member and one of the top defensive players in the region. 

The Fubon Braves open the 2025-26 season at home against the Utsunomiya Brex on Oct. 8. 

Taipei Fubon’s Projected Depth Chart: 

HC: Yung Jen Wu 

PG: Lai Ting En / Chen You Wei 
SG: Chou Kuei Yu / Wu Yung Cheng / Spencer Lin

SF: Archie Goodwin / Hung Kai Chieh / Lin Chih Chieh / Jonathan Nchekwube 

PF: Mouhamed Mbaye / Femi Olujobi / Tsai Wen Cheng 

C: Troy Gillenwater / Tseng Hsiang Chun 

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Seoul SK Knights 

The Seoul SK Knights make their return to EASL after storming into the 2024 championship game, where they ultimately fell just short. Following a stellar 2024–25 KBL regular season, they reached the finals again, pushing their opponents to the league’s first-ever 7-game series before finishing as runners-up. The Knights call Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium home.

This offseason marked the end of an era with the departure of longtime floor general Kim Sun-Hyung, but SK still boasts star power. Reigning league MVP An Young Jun and 4-time Foreign MVP Jameel Warney — one of the greatest players in KBL history — return to lead the charge. 

Seoul SK opens the 2025-26 season on the road against the Utsunomiya Brex on Oct. 22. 

Seoul SK Knights’ Projected Depth Chart:

HC: Chun Hee Chul

PG: Kim Nak-Hyeon / Jeon Seong-Hwan / Lee Min-Seo

SG: Choi Won-Hyuk / Oh Jae-Hyun / Kim Tae-Hun / Moon Ka-On

SF: An Young-Jun / Arvin Dave Tolentino  / Im Hyun-Taek / Kang Jae-Min

PF: Darryl Monroe / Choi Bu-Kyung  / Oh Se-Keun / Kim Hyung-Bin

C: Jameel Warney / Sun Sang-Hyuk / Kim Geon-U

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Hong Kong Eastern 

Hong Kong Eastern return for their second consecutive EASL season after an electrifying debut in 2024–25. Despite dropping their first two games, Eastern stormed back with three straight wins before ultimately falling just one victory short of a Final Four berth.

The 2025–26 season brings a major roster overhaul, with veteran point guard Chan Siu Wing standing as the team’s lone established returner. One of Hong Kong’s most storied franchises — with roots approaching a century of history — Eastern will look to play the role of spoiler in Group A, backed by one of the league’s most passionate home crowds at Southorn Stadium.

Hong Kong opens the 2025-26 season on the road against the Seoul SK Knights on Nov. 12. 

NOTE: Hong Kong Eastern’s roster announcement is coming soon. 

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Which 2 teams make it out of Group A? Make your picks below!