Hiroshima Dragonflies and Ryukyu Golden Kings to represent Japan in EASL 2024-25 Season

Japanese B.LEAGUE teams the Hiroshima Dragonflies and the Ryukyu Golden Kings have qualified for the East Asia Super League 2024-25 Season.

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The Japanese teams will compete in EASL next season to be the champions of East Asian professional basketball. They will face the champions and runners-up from Chinese Taipei’s P. LEAGUE+ and the Korean Basketball League (KBL), as well as two of the best teams from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

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The Hiroshima Dragonflies are the 2023-24 B.LEAGUE champions, after beating the Ryukyu Golden Kings 2-1 in the Finals. The Dragonflies won the deciding game in the Finals last week, to secure their first-ever B.LEAGUE title.

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EASL CEO Henry Kerins said, “EASL is delighted to have the B.LEAGUE champions and runners-up competing once again to be the champions of East Asia. We’re looking forward to returning to Okinawa with the Ryukyu Golden Kings, after a tremendous series of games there last season. And we can’t wait to see what the Hiroshima Dragonflies will bring to the 2024-25 Season.”

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B.LEAGUE Chairman Shinji Shimada said, “The 2023-24 season champions Hiroshima Dragonflies and runners-up Ryukyu Golden Kings will represent the B.LEAGUE in the EASL next season.

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“After a year of battling it out in the B.LEAGUE, which is improving year by year, and achieving impressive results as champions and runners-up, they have proved that they are Japan’s two best teams.

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“Last season, the Chiba Jets were crowned EASL champions. We hope that one of these two teams will bring the EASL championship to Japan again.”

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The draw for the EASL 2024-25 Season Group Stage was made earlier this year in agreement with the participating leagues.

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As B.LEAGUE champions, the Dragonflies have been placed into Group A. The Golden Kings have been placed into Group B.

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Hiroshima will match up in Group A against Korean Basketball League (KBL) runners-up Suwon KT Sonicboom, the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up, and one of the best-performing teams from the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) 2023-24 conferences.

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In Group B, Ryukyu will face KBL champions the Busan KCC Egis, the P. LEAGUE+ champions, and a second top-performing PBA team.