EASL closed out December with another full slate of action, as the 2025–26 season continued to take shape and the playoff picture began to sharpen. With statement wins, historic performances, and key shifts in the standings, the month left a clear mark across the league.

Before looking to 2026, here’s a look at who made the most of December: 

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PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Jameel Warney 

Jameel Warney is the EASL December Player of the Month. Across December, he averaged 23.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, while also becoming the first player in EASL history to reach 300 career points. He hit that milestone during a perfect 2-0 month for the Seoul SK Knights.

The milestone moment came on Christmas Eve, when Warney powered SK to an 88-79 road win over the Taipei Fubon Braves. Earlier in the month, he was just as dominant at home, leading SK to an 84-78 victory over the reigning B.LEAGUE champions, the Utsunomiya Brex, on December 17. 

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TEAM OF THE MONTH: 

G: Sina Vahedi — Meralco Bolts (PBA)

G: Lu Chun-Hsiang — Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+)

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F: Ryo Sadohara — Rykuyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)

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F: Jameel Warney — Seoul SK Knights (KBL)

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C: Troy Gillenwater — Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)

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Despite finishing December 1-2, had 69 points though in the month and was an absolute force in the paint that we couldn’t overlook. 

The December Team of the Month featured four additional selections alongside Jameel Warney, with guards Sina Vahedi and Lu Chun-Hsiang headlining the backcourt. Vahedi and Meralco played one game in December, a 93-91 win over the Macau Black Bears, where Vahedi earned Player of the Game honors with 23 points and 5 assists, scoring key buckets late as Meralco improved to 3-2 in Group B. 

Lu also took Player of the Game in Taoyuan’s 104–86 win over Macau on December 14, a result that included the largest comeback in EASL history after the Pilots trailed by 26 at one point. He finished with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists in the victory.

In the frontcourt, Ryo Sadohara of the Ryukyu Golden Kings earned Team of the Month honors for the first time after helping lead an 87-81 win over Macau on December 17. He scored 19 points on 72.7% shooting, knocking down three three-pointers. At center, Troy Gillenwater of the Taipei Fubon Braves rounded out the group. Even with Fubon going 1-2 in December, Gillenwater totaled 69 points in three games and was a consistent presence in the paint throughout the month.

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POWER RANKINGS:

Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (3-1)

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Seoul SK Knights (3-1)

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Ryukyu Golden Kings (2-1)

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Alvark Tokyo (2-1)

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Meralco Bolts (3-2)

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New Taipei Kings (3-2) 

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Taipei Fubon Braves (2-2)

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Hong Kong Eastern (1-2)

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Xac Broncos (3-2)

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Utsunomiya Brex (1-2)

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Changwon Sakers (1-4)

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Macau Black Bears (0-4)

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Quick Breakdown 

Here’s the power rankings rundown based on how December ended, with the main reason each team landed where it did.

Taoyuan moves up to No. 1 after the win that pushed them to 3-1, highlighted by the biggest comeback in EASL history. Seoul SK sits right behind them at No. 2. After opening the season 0-1, SK has rebounded with three straight wins, including a perfect 2-0 December, which keeps them near the top.

Ryukyu and Alvark follow next. Both are 2-1 after dropping their first game of the season, then responding with wins to steady their positions. Meralco also climbed after December, riding a three-game win streak and finishing the month as one of the league’s hottest teams. New Taipei stays in the mix as well, moving to 3-2 and getting a boost after a strong debut from new signing Jalen Harris.

Further down, Taipei Fubon drops after going from the last unbeaten team at 2-0 to start December to finishing the month 1-2, which pushes them to seventh. Hong Kong Eastern rises to eighth after breaking through for its first win of the season at home against Fubon, while also becoming the first team this year with all five starters scoring double figures in a single game. 

The Broncos take the biggest hit, sliding from first to 10th after losing two straight to start December and falling from 3–0 to 3–2, putting real pressure on their postseason path. At the bottom are Changwon LG Sakers and the Macau Black Bears, each sitting on four losses and, as of the end of December, the only two teams mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.