This program is a development program established by EASL to contribute to the further development of the Asian basketball world and the development of new talent. U-22 youth players selected from each region improve their practical skills through practice menus and tournament-style practice matches that professional players actually perform, and off the court, interactive sessions with current and former top players and coaches. You will also participate in classes and events featuring EASL NBA Ambassadors. The main feature of this program is that youth players can develop not only the technical development of basketball, but also the rich humanity necessary to be active at the world’s top level. In addition, it will be held in the off-season considering the schedule of the players, so that participating youth players as well as active professional players and coaches can spend more time on this program. EASL has a track record of co-hosting top-level coaching, refereeing, and other training programs with FIBA, and has already received requests from top active athletes and coaches from various Asian countries to participate in this program. I’m here. With the aim of revitalizing the basketball world throughout East Asia, this program will be implemented with the cooperation of various stakeholders.
We received comments from former NBA player Metta World Peace, who was appointed as an EASL ambassador for the establishment of this program. Mr. Metta World Peace has the experience of winning the NBA championship when he belonged to the Los Angeles Lakers during his playing days, and has the experience of being selected for the NBA Most Valuable Defensive Player Award in the past. This time, he has been appointed as an ambassador because he has high expectations for the possibilities that EASL will bring.
■ Comment from EASL Ambassador Metta World Peace
“I feel that this program is the best environment for nurturing the next generation of star athletes. The bonds with friends and competitive spirit that are nurtured through the program will be of great benefit to the athletes in the future.”
EASL signed a 10-year exclusive contract with FIBA Asia, the world governing body of basketball, and FIBA (International Basketball Federation), the global governing body of basketball, in December last year, launching the first professional basketball league in East Asia. As Asia’s premier basketball league, with the aim of revitalizing the sports world in the region as a whole, we will manage the tournament and create original content to deliver unprecedented and unique experiences and value to fans and local stakeholders. In the EASL season 1, which will start for the first time from October this year, the winning and runner-up teams from the previous season from “B.LEAGUE” in Japan, “KBL” in South Korea, and “PBA” in the Philippines, respectively, and “Chinese Taipei” P. LEAGUE+” and the newly formed “Bay Area Dragons” representing Greater China, a total of 8 teams will participate, competing for the title of Asian Champion with a prize of approximately 1 million dollars (approximately 100 million yen). increase.
- About the East Asian Super League (EASL)
Established in 2016, the mission of the East Asian Super League (EASL) is to boost regional sports as Asia’s premier basketball league. EASL is the region’s first professional basketball league to operate under a 10-year exclusive contract with FIBA, the world governing body of basketball, and with the approval of FIBA Asia. Japan’s “B.LEAGUE”, South Korea’s “KBL”, and the Philippines’ “PBA” will each feature the winning and runner-up teams from the previous season. The winning team of Chinese Taipei’s “P. LEAGUE+” will participate. 8 teams will be divided into 2 groups of 4 teams and will compete in a round robin format. Each team will play six home-and-away games during the Group Stage from October 2022 to February 2023, with a total of 24 EASL Group Stage games played each Wednesday night. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Final 4, where they will compete in a tournament format with the aim of winning their first EASL title in March 2023.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, EASL has offices in Guangzhou, Macau, Manila, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei and Tokyo. For information on the East Asian Super League, please visit www.easl.basketball.
