Hong Kong Eastern has qualified for the 2026-27 EASL season, returning to Asia’s premier basketball league for a third consecutive year after winning the 2025-26 HKA1 Division championship.

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The upcoming campaign will mark Eastern’s third straight season in EASL. The club first joined the league in 2024-25, finishing 3-3 in Group A and narrowly missing out on a place in the postseason Final Four in Macau SAR. Eastern returned in 2025-26 and finished 2-4, while picking up notable wins over the then-P. LEAGUE+ runner-up Taipei Fubon Braves and then-KBL runner-up Seoul SK Knights.

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“Hong Kong Eastern has been a tremendous addition to EASL, and we’re excited to welcome them back for the 2026-27 season,” said Henry Kerins, Chief Executive Officer at EASL. “They’ve continued to prove they are a tough opponent for teams at the highest level, even as our league expanded and the competition became stronger. We’re proud to have Eastern representing Hong Kong SAR on the international stage and look forward to another exciting season together.”

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“EASL has been an incredible platform for our club, and competing internationally over the past two seasons has helped us grow a lot as a team. Playing against some of the best clubs in Asia has given valuable experience to both our younger and veteran players, and we believe that experience has helped raise our level domestically in the HKA1,” said Wilson Choi, Team Leader of Hong Kong Eastern. “Each EASL season continues to become more competitive, and we’re excited for another opportunity to test ourselves and show Asia what Hong Kong Eastern is about.”

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Across the past two EASL seasons, Eastern has been led by key players including Cameron Clark, Chris McLaughlin, Glen Yang and Dominic Gilbert. McLaughlin averaged a double-double in the 2024-25 season with 16.8 points and 13.7 rebounds per game, becoming one of just seven players that season to average a double-double across three or more games. Gilbert led Eastern in scoring during the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 21.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Clark and Yang both featured in each of Eastern’s first two EASL seasons, with Clark averaging a team-high 17.0 points per game in 2024-25.

Domestically, Hong Kong Eastern put together a strong 2025-26 HKA1 season before delivering dominant postseason series wins over Chun Lung and South China Athletic. Eastern then beat Tycoon Basketball Team in their best-of-seven Finals series to claim its third HKA1 title, with Gilbert earning Finals MVP honors.

Eastern becomes the 10th team confirmed for the 2026-27 EASL season, joining Nagasaki Velca (B.LEAGUE), Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE), Alvark Tokyo (B.LEAGUE), TSG GhostHawks (P. LEAGUE+), Taoyuan Pauian Pilots  (P. LEAGUE+), Taipei Fubon Braves  (P. LEAGUE+), Goyang Sono Skygunners (KBL), Busan KCC Egis (KBL) and Xac Broncos (MBA “The League”).

Stay tuned for more team qualification announcements coming soon.