Brothers, Breakout Boys, and Asian league top performers from this past week
BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The month of November has come to an end with players across the various leagues in Asia putting on some outstanding performances. Here's a quick look through some of the action!
BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The month of November has come to an end with players across the various leagues in Asia putting on some outstanding performances. Here's a quick look through some of the action!
Don't forget to vote for the player who you think has been in top form throughout this past week!
Disclaimer: Information taken into account for this update is as considered from 24-30 November, 2023.
Brotherly Love
It was an interesting week for brother pairings.
The Hasan bros continued to be a force for Kuwait Club, resulting in yet another win on 28 November for the undefeated squad. This week, it was the younger Mohammad who led the duo in scoring with 20 points on 4 three-pointers made. Both of the brothers scored in double-digits once again, though they'd combine for "only" 31 points this week compared to 43 in the season opener.
The Lin brothers also continue to be a problem in P.League+ and EASL. This week, the two combined for 31 points in the New Taipei Kings win over Meralco Bolts in EASL on 29 November.
(Photo via EASL)
Over in Korea, the Heo brothers, Ung and Hoon, played on the same court for the first time this season on 30 November. The twist here is that Heo Ung plays for Busan KCC Egis while Heo Hoon plays for Suwon KT Sonicboom. The two combined for 33 points (19 from Hoon, 14 from Ung), with the most important numbers from this game being 85-71 in favor of Hoon and Suwon KT as victors.
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Daring Debuts
Some key players were making their first appearances for their respective teams as well this week and they were sure to make their first impressions count.
Xavier Cooks had already made an impression in Japan over this past summer, exploding for 24 points and 16 rebounds for Australia against Akatsuki Japan in Okinawa. This week on 30 November, Cooks was in Japan once again, making his debut for his new professional club, Chiba Jets of the B.League. He was limited to 8 points in this game but put up an all-around effort of 12 rebounds and 5 assists to help make sure his team got the win.
第1Q
— 千葉ジェッツふなばし 🛫PAINT IT JETS✨ (@CHIBAJETS) November 30, 2023
#10 クックスがいよいよBリーグデビュー💫
初得点を沈める🔥🔥🔥#chibajets #Bリーグ #千葉ジェッツ #ゼイビア・クックス
LIVE配信は▼https://t.co/49cfuaHW0n pic.twitter.com/VPEJbdgvqG
Another win in a debut was secured on the same day in WASL-West Asia when "Pappy Gawd" Pierre Jackson poured in 39 points in a 90-78 win for Sagesse SC. The outstanding scoring performance now stands as the most points scored in a FIBA WASL debut - previously set not long ago by Tyler Wilkerson (Muharraq, WASL-Gulf) and Jomaru Brown (Al Wahda, WASL-West Asia).
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Zach Lofton also recorded a handful of points (35) while making his debut in EASL with the Meralco Bolts, but it was not enough to get the Filipino club a win over the New Taipei Kings.
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Breakout Boys
These long seasons are full of ups and downs, so when those "up" moments come along, it is best to cherish and celebrate them.
These two young second-year Filipino ballers had their moments over this past week, albeit in different leagues with SJ Belangel in the KBL and Gian Mamuyac in the PBA.
Belangel notched his KBL career-high of 30 points for Daegu KOGAS on 25 November, but he'll be more relieved that his scoring was key to putting a halt to KOGAS's 10-game losing streak. He also recorded 5 three-pointers and 6 assists, both season-highs.
It was a different story for Mamuyac who had his career-high of 33 points, which was still not enough to get his club, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters their first win of the Commissioner's Cup in the PBA.
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