December 31, 2025

EASL’S BIGGEST STARS OF 2025

00 min read

EASL’S BIGGEST STARS OF 2025

Written By

Tyler Schiff

EASL’S BIGGEST STARS OF 2025

Read all about the EASL players who dominated this past year

As 2025 comes to a close, EASL looks back on a year defined by big moments and major growth. The year began with the race to the EASL Final Four 2025 and the rise of a new champion, then carried into an expanded league featuring 12 teams and 42 games.

To wrap up the year, here’s a look at the standout players from each participating team across the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons who helped make 2025 special: 


Lu Chun-Hsiang — Taoyuan Pauian Pilots 

Lu Chun-Hsiang established himself as one of Asia’s biggest stars during Taoyuan’s inaugural EASL season in 2024-25.

He led the league in scoring with 158 total points, averaging 19.8 points per game, and helped carry the Pilots to the championship game, earning an All-EASL Team selection along the way.

In 2025-26, Lu has continued that form, averaging 20.3 points per game while leading Taoyuan to a 3-1 start and picking up two Player of the Game awards.


Dwayne Evans II — Hiroshima Dragonflies 

Dwayne Evans was the steady force behind the Hiroshima Dragonflies’ title run and one of the defining players of the 2024-25 EASL season. Evans averaged 22.5 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, anchoring Hiroshima on both ends with efficient interior scoring and consistent work on the glass.

He helped lead the Dragonflies to a 4-2 regular season record before they went on to win the 2024-25 EASL championship, following their B.LEAGUE title in 2023-24. Evans capped the run by earning EASL Finals MVP honors.

Damian Chongqui — Macau Black Bears 

Damien Chongqui became one of EASL’s biggest stars with the Macau Black Bears during their expansion season in 2024–25. The 5-foot-8 guard averaged 24.2 points, 9.0 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game, and led the league with 54 total assists, establishing himself as one of Asia’s top guards.

He followed it up in 2025–26 by averaging 24.8 points and 6.8 assists so far through four regular-season games, remaining Macau’s clear leader.


Chris Newsome — Meralco Bolts 
Chris Newsome has been a constant for the Meralco Bolts throughout their EASL run, and he is now in his third season with the club as its captain and leader.

Last season, Newsome averaged 14.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. This year, with a stronger Bolts roster around him, he has taken on more of a playmaking role, posting 9.6 points and 5.4 assists per game.

As 2026 begins, Meralco sits at 3-2 in Group B and is primed to challenge for a first-ever franchise playoff spot, with Newsome still at the center of it all.

Archie Goodwin — Taipei Fubon Braves

Archie Goodwin brought instant star power to EASL after joining the Taipei Fubon Braves. A former NBA player and one-and-done at Kentucky, Goodwin was the 29th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft and wasted no time making his mark.

In his EASL debut at EASL Tip-Off 2025 on October 8, he erupted for 43 points to lead Taipei Fubon to an opening-day win. Since then, he has continued to produce, ranking third in the league in scoring at 29.5 points per game through four games.

Sani Sakakini — New Taipei Kings 

Sani Sakakini used 2025 to firmly place his name among the top players in EASL history. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 17.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, helping lead the New Taipei Kings to a third-place finish and earning an All-EASL Team selection.

He has taken another step forward this season, averaging 21.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and continuing to rank among the league’s most productive players. His consistent impact has also placed him in rare company, as one of just three players to reach the 200-point, 100-rebound club in EASL.

Ryuichi Kishimoto — Ryukyu Golden Kings

Ryuichi Kishimoto has been the floor general for the Ryukyu Golden Kings, one of Asia’s top teams, and a key piece in their sustained domestic success, including four straight B.LEAGUE Finals appearances.

In 2024-25 EASL play, he averaged 11.4 points and 4.4 assists, helping Ryukyu finish with the league’s best regular season record before placing fourth at the EASL Final Four. This season, Kishimoto has averaged 17.3 points and 4.7 assists per game, with the Golden Kings sitting at 2-1 in Group B and positioned for another postseason push, as most of their remaining schedule falls in 2026.

Jameel Warney — Seoul SK Knights

Jameel Warney is firmly in the GOAT conversation in EASL, and he closed 2025 by pushing the Seoul SK Knights to the top seed in Group A at 3-1. SK went 2-0 in December, and Warney capped the month with a historic milestone on Christmas Eve, becoming the first player to reach 300 career EASL points.

He also entered rare company this month as one of just three players in the 200-point, 100-rebound club, alongside New Taipei’s Sani Sakakini and Kenny Manigault. This season, Warney is averaging 26.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, and he ended the year with December Player of the Month honors.

Dominic Gilbert — Hong Kong Eastern 

Dominic Gilbert burst onto the EASL scene in 2025 as a key piece for Hong Kong Eastern in the 2025-26 season. Through three games, he is averaging 21.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest, giving Eastern a consistent interior scoring option and a reliable two-way anchor. 

Ian Miller — Xac Broncos 

Ian Miller has been one of the standout players of the 2025-26 season, driving the Broncos’ postseason push in the Mongolian representatives’ first year in EASL. Through five games, he is averaging 24.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game, already totaling 120 points on the season.

His biggest statement came in EASL’s first-ever game in Mongolia, when he exploded for 40 points against the New Taipei Kings. A true three-level scorer, Miller has been one of the league’s most dangerous offensive players this year and a major reason the Broncos remain in the race.

Heo Hoon — Suwon KT Sonicboom (Now Busan KCC Egis) 

In the 2024-25 season, Heo Hoon served as the offensive engine for Suwon KT Sonicboom. Despite missing a few games due to injury, he averaged 11.5 points and 3.8 assists per game, helping guide KT to a 2-4 record across six contests. His control of the offense and steady decision-making made him one of the league’s top point guards last season.

Heo Ung — Busan KCC Egis 

In the 2024-25 season with Busan KCC Egis, Heo Hoon was one of the league’s streakiest scorers, capable of flipping a game in a matter of minutes. He finished the campaign averaging 12.0 points and 4.8 assists per game, providing KCC with creation and shot-making when they needed it most.

His signature moment came on December 18, 2024, against the Meralco Bolts. With KCC trailing 68-55 with just under three minutes left, Heo erupted for 15 points in a furious closing stretch, powering a stunning comeback in a 72-68 win.

June Mar Fajardo — San Miguel Beermen 

June Mar Fajardo, widely regarded as the most dominant player in PBA history, was also one of EASL’s top performers in 2025. A nine-time PBA MVP and 11-time PBA champion, he brought his steady interior presence to the 2024-25 EASL season. Even as San Miguel finished 0-6, Fajardo stood out as their clear bright spot, averaging 15.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. 

Yu Kisang — Changwon LG Sakers 

Yu Kisang has emerged as one of Korea’s rising backcourt stars, playing a key role in Changwon LG Sakers’ first KBL championship in franchise history in 2025, a title that secured the club’s place in the 2025–26 EASL season.

In EASL play this season, Yu is averaging 11.5 points and 3.0 assists per game, standing out as LG’s top-performing local player. With one more LG game remaining and the calendar turning to 2026, his growth continues to point toward a bright future.

Sebastian Saiz — Alvark Tokyo
Sebastian Saiz has quietly emerged as one of EASL’s most dominant frontcourt players, giving Alvark Tokyo a strong early lift in Group C. Through three games, Alvark sits at 2-1 and atop the group.

Despite appearing in only two of those three games, Sebastian Saiz is averaging 27.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, production that mirrors his strong form in B.LEAGUE play as well. With the bulk of Alvark’s schedule coming in 2026, Saiz remains central to their postseason push.

D.J. Newbill — Utsunomiya Brex 

There was never much doubt D.J. Newbill would be one of the headliners of the 2025-26 EASL season after Utsunomiya won the B.LEAGUE title in 2024-25 to qualify. The reigning back-to-back B.LEAGUE MVP has carried his domestic form straight into international play.

Through the early portion of the EASL campaign, Newbill is averaging 24.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game, producing at an elite level even with Utsunomiya sitting at 1-2.

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