January 4, 2025 — Southorn Stadium, Hong Kong SAR

Where to Watch:

‍

The Hong Kong Eastern and the Suwon KT Sonicboom tip off at 20:10 CST. Here’s where you can catch the game! 

‍

Hong Kong SAR:

‍

Watch the game on HOY TV (Channel 76). 

‍

South Korea:

‍

Watch the game through CJ Entertainment’s TVING (OTT).

‍

Outside These Regions:

Visit the ‘Watch’ tab on the EASL website to find streaming options in your area.

‍

Get Your Tickets 

‍

Get your tickets now at https://www.ticketflap.com/hkeastern-easl-vssuwonktsonicboom.

‍

Storylines:

‍

1. Eastern Hanging by a Thread

‍

Hong Kong Eastern enters their matchup against KBL’s Suwon KT Sonicboom with a 1-2 record. As this is their only meeting during the Group Stage, the game will determine the tiebreaker between the two teams.

‍

Eastern must win to keep their Final Four hopes alive. If KT prevails, Eastern will be eliminated from contention. The Hiroshima Dragonflies, defending B.LEAGUE champions, hold the tiebreaker over Eastern after sweeping their two matchups earlier in the season. Even if Eastern, Hiroshima, and KT finish with identical 3-3 records, Eastern will be unable to claim a top-two spot in Group A.

‍

However, Eastern’s fate remains in their own hands. Winning their final three games to finish 4-2 would still secure a Final Four berth. For now, this game is a must-win for the Hong Kong squad.

‍

2. Captain Hoon is Back

‍

The injury-riddled KT Sonicboom has faced significant setbacks this season, including the absence of their star and captain, Heo Hoon. Sidelined since Nov. 11 with a fractured left thumb and a foot injury, Heo returned on New Year’s Day, helping KT secure a win against Busan KCC Egis with 11 points and seven assists in just 21 minutes of play.

‍

The 2020 KBL MVP had been crucial in his first two EASL games this season, averaging 19.0 points and 6.5 assists. His return provides a much-needed boost to KT’s Final Four hopes.

‍

Despite Heo’s return, KT faces a tough challenge. The Taoyuan Pauian Pilots hold the tiebreaker against them, and while Hiroshima has a better record, KT holds the tiebreaker thanks to their Dec. 4 victory over the Dragonflies.

‍

Heo’s impact is undeniable, but how will he fare against a healthier and determined Eastern team?

‍

3. KT Import Makes Debut

‍

Suwon KT Sonicboom’s new import, Ismael Romero, is expected to make his EASL debut on Tuesday.

‍

Since releasing the ineffective Jeremiah Tilmon Jr. in October, KT has relied solely on Rayshaun Hammonds as their lone import. Though KT signed Jordan Morgan as a replacement, Morgan played only two games before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury on Oct. 30 during a KBL match.

‍

Romero, a Cuban-born naturalized Puerto Rican, represented Puerto Rico at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he scored 12 points against eventual champions, the United States. The 6-foot-9 big man has spent most of his career playing in Puerto Rico and Mexico, with a brief stint in the NBA G League’s Grand Rapids Gold during the 2015-16 season.

‍

With Hammonds shouldering much of the workload, Romero’s adjustment to KT’s system could be pivotal. How will the big man impact the team’s push for the Final Four?

‍

Hong Kong Eastern (Hong Kong SAR) Players to Watch:

‍

#22 Kobey Lam — Guard, 6-foot-3

• 2024-25 EASL Averages: 11.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists
• Joined the Hong Kong Eastern in 2024
• Lam attended college at the University of Denver
• Lam is from Toronto, Ontario, Canada

‍

#0 Hayden Blankley — Forward, 6-foot-6

• 2024-25 EASL Averages: 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists
• Joined the Hong Kong Eastern in 2024
• Blankley attended college at West Texas A&M University
• Blankley is from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

‍

#19 Chris McLaughlin — Center, 6-foot-10

• 2024-25 EASL Averages: 20.0 points, 14.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.3 steals
• 2023 ABL Champions with Hong Kong Eastern
• 2023 ABL Defensive Player of the Year with Hong Kong Eastern
• 2023-24 HKBA Champion with Hong Kong Eastern
• 2023-24 HKBA Most Valuable Player with Hong Kong Eastern
• 2015-16 Team Leading Rebounder with Basket Swans Gmunden in Austria
• Joined the Hong Kong Eastern in 2022
• McLaughlin attended college at University of Victoria
• McLaughlin is from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

‍

Suwon KT Sonicboom (KBL — South Korea) Players to Watch:

‍

#23 Park Jun Young — Forward, 6-foot-4 

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists
• Park played for the Sangmu Basketball Team during his military service 
• Park played with Suwon KT before enlisting in the military
• Joined the Suwon KT Sonicboom in 2018 
• Park was a 1st Round Pick in the 2018 KBL Draft
• Park attended college at Korea University 
• Park is from Incheon, South Korea

‍

#2 Heo Hoon — Guard, 6-foot-1 

• 2024-25 EASL Averages: 19.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.0 steals
• Joined the Suwon KT Sonicboom in 2017 
• 2020 KBL Most Valuable Player 
• 2-time KBL Best 5 (2020, 2021) 
• 2018 Asian Games Bronze Medalist with the South Korean national team
• Selected as the 1st overall pick in the 2017 KBL Draft by Suwon KT Sonicboom
• Heo attended college at Yonsei University 
• Heo is from Seoul, South Korea

‍

#35 Rayshaun Hammonds — Center, 6-foot-9

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 20.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
• 2022 Latvia LBL Champion with VEF Rīga
• 2022 Latvian Cup Winner with VEF Rīga
• 2022 Latvian-Estonian Basketball League Champion with VEF Rīga
• Join the Suwon KT Sonicboom in 2024
• Hammonds attended college at the University of Georgia
• Hammonds is from Augusta, Georgia, USA

‍

Hong Kong Eastern By the Numbers:

‍

Team History

• Founded in 1932
• 2x HKBA A1 Division Champions (2018, 2023-24)
• 2x ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) Champions (2016-17, 2023)

‍

2024-25 EASL Results

• Game 1: 78-67 loss against Hiroshima Dragonflies (B.LEAGUE) — Oct. 16, 2024
• Game 2: 88-75 loss against Hiroshima Dragonflies (B.LEAGUE) — Oct. 30, 2024
• Game 3: 71-62 win against San Miguel Beermen (PBA) — Dec. 18, 2024

‍

2024-25 EASL Upcoming Games

• Home vs. Suwon KT Sonicboom (KBL) — Jan. 7, 2025
• Away vs. San Miguel Beermen (PBA) — Jan. 15, 2025
• Away vs. Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+) — Feb. 5, 2025

‍

2024-25 EASL Statistic Leaders

• Points: Chris McLaughlin - 20.5 ppg
• Rebounds: Chris McLaughlin - 14.3 rpg
• Assists: Chan Siu Wing - 2.6 apg
• Steals: Chris McLaughlin - 2.3 spg
• Blocks: Cameron Clark - 1.5 bpg

‍

Suwon KT Sonicboom By the Numbers:

‍

Team History

• Founded in 1997 
• 2010-11 KBL Regular Season Champions 
• 2022 KBL Cup Champions 

‍

2024-25 EASL Statistic Leaders

• Points: Rayshuan Hammonds — 20.3 ppg
• Rebounds: Rayshaun Hammonds — 10.5 rpg
• Assists: Heo Hoon — 6.5 apg
• Steals: Cho Hwan Hee — 3.0 spg
• Blocks: Rayshaun Hammonds — 0.5 bpg

‍

2024-25 EASL Results 

• Game 1: 87-81 win against San Miguel Beermen (PBA) — Oct. 2, 2024
• Game 2: 91-70 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+) — Oct. 23, 2024
• Game 3: 80-78 win against Hiroshima Dragonflies (B.LEAGUE) — Dec. 4, 2024
• Game 4: 100-64 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+) — Dec. 11, 2024

‍

2024-25 EASL Upcoming Games

• Away vs. Hong Kong Eastern (Hong Kong SAR) – Jan. 7, 2025
• Home vs. San Miguel Beermen (PBA) – Feb. 12, 2025