Korean Basketball League

The Korean Basketball League (KBL; Korean: 한국프로농구) is a professional men's basketball league in South Korea established in 1997. The season starts in October and ends in April or May the following year. The KBL consists of ten teams. Each team plays 54 games (27 home games and 27 away games) and is only allowed to have two foreign players.

Korean Basketball League (KBL)
SportBasketball
Founded1997
Inaugural season1997
No. of teams10
CountrySouth Korea
ContinentFIBA Asia
Most recent
champion(s)		Anyang KGC
(3rd title)
Most titlesUlsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus (7 titles)
Level on pyramid1
Official websiteKBL.or.kr

History

The Korean Basketball League was established in 1997. Prior to the professional era, domestic basketball was an amateur sport and all teams, whether sponsored by a corporate company or a university, participated in the National Basketball Festival (Korean: 농구대잔치) competition sanctioned by the Korea Basketball Association. Early teams were sponsored by major corporate companies or universities. The Korea Development Bank (KDB) and Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) established their basketball teams as early as the 1950s and 1960s while Yonsei University and Korea University are considered pioneers of domestic college basketball, having introduced the sport to their institutions before World War II. During the 1970s and 1980s, major industrial companies such as Kia Motors, Hyundai Electronics and Samsung Electronics started their own basketball teams. The predecessor teams of Goyang Orion Orions, Anyang KGC and Wonju DB Promy were founded during the 1990s by smaller-scale companies hoping to take advantage of the "basketball craze".[1]

Professional era

The 1996–97 National Basketball Festival ended in January 1997, and the inaugural KBL season began one month later in February. The National Basketball Festival remains an amateur-only tournament to this day and is contested by university reserve teams, amateur teams and the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps's basketball team.

Sponsoring companies were given the option to register their basketball teams in the upcoming professional league. KDB and IBK opted to sell their teams; however, their new owners chose to re-start the teams as brand new franchises, only acquiring their players and staff but not inheriting the team's legacy or historical records.[2][3] The founding teams were Busan Kia Enterprise, Gyeongnam LG Sakers, Daegu Tongyang Orions, Suwon Samsung Thunders, Wonju Naray Blue Bird, Anyang SBS Stars, Incheon Daewoo Zeus, Daejeon Hyundai Dynat, and Gwangju Nasan Flamans. Some of the teams, such as Anyang SBS Stars, had been based in Seoul but chose to move to another city. The plan was to have a team based in each geographical region rather than only centralized in the Seoul Capital Area.[4] The 1997–98 season was the first full season played and the tenth team, Cheongju SK Knights, was added as a member. The KBL has had ten teams ever since.[5]

The early years of the league were plagued by the financial instability, exacerbated by the 1997 Asian financial crisis which had impacted South Korea especially hard. As with other domestic sports leagues, the KBL was not immune to the economic fall-out. The KBL had difficulty finding a league sponsor for the 1997–98 season while teams were forced to cut costs.[6][7] Between 1997 and 2001, five of the ten teams had changed ownership due to financial problems.

Format

The KBL follows FIBA rules regarding standards of play and court dimensions.[8] The regular season runs from October to March, followed by the annual KBL awards ceremony. Teams which did not qualify for the playoffs go on a break before off-season training. The playoffs generally begin the week after the end of the regular season.[9]

The round-robin format is utilized as each team plays against the other nine teams six times (three home and three away). A total of 54 games are played in six rounds. Qualification for either the quarterfinal (formerly known as the first round) or semifinal stage of the playoffs is determined by league table ranking; the top two ranked teams earn an automatic spot in the semifinal while the third to sixth-ranked teams qualify for the quarterfinal stage. The best-of-seven format is used to determine the winner during playoff games.

Current clubs
Locations of the Korean Basketball League teams
Team City Arena Capacity Founded Joined
Anyang KGC Anyang Anyang Gymnasium 6,690 1992 1997
Changwon LG Sakers Changwon Changwon Gymnasium 6,000 1994 1997
Daegu KOGAS Pegasus Daegu Daegu Gymnasium 3,867 1994 1997
Goyang Orion Orions Goyang Goyang Gymnasium 6,216 1995 1997
Jeonju KCC Egis Jeonju Jeonju Gymnasium 4,730 1977 1997
Seoul Samsung Thunders Seoul Jamsil Arena 11,069 1978 1997
Seoul SK Knights Seoul Jamsil Students' Gymnasium 6,229 1997
Suwon KT Sonicboom Suwon Suwon KT Sonicboom Arena 4,036 1997
Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus Ulsan Dongchun Gymnasium 5,831 1986 1997
Wonju DB Promy Wonju Wonju Gymnasium 4,600 1996 1997

Results

Finals
Year Champions Result Runners-up Playoffs MVP
1997Busan Kia Enterprise4–1Wonju Naray Blue BirdKang Dong-hee (Kia)
1997–98Daejeon Hyundai Dynat4–3Busan Kia EnterpriseHur Jae (Kia)
1998–99Daejeon Hyundai Dynat4–1Busan Kia EnterpriseCho Sung-won (Hyundai)
1999–2000Cheongju SK Knights4–2Daejeon Hyundai GulliversSeo Jang-hoon (SK)
2000–01Suwon Samsung Thunders4–1Changwon LG SakersJoo Hee-jung (Samsung)
2001–02Daegu Tongyang Orions4–3Seoul SK KnightsMarcus Hicks (Tongyang)
2002–03Wonju TG Xers4–2Daegu Tongyang OrionsDavid Jackson (TG)
2003–04Jeonju KCC Egis4–3Wonju TG Sambo XersLee Sang-min (KCC)
2004–05Wonju TG Sambo Xers4–2Jeonju KCC EgisKim Joo-sung (TG Sambo)
2005–06Seoul Samsung Thunders4–0Ulsan Mobis PhoebusKang Hyuk (Samsung)
2006–07Ulsan Mobis Phoebus4–3Busan KTF Magic WingsYang Dong-geun (Mobis)
2007–08Wonju Dongbu Promy4–1Seoul Samsung ThundersKim Joo-sung (Dongbu)
2008–09Jeonju KCC Egis4–3Seoul Samsung ThundersChoo Seung-gyun (KCC)
2009–10Ulsan Mobis Phoebus4–2Jeonju KCC EgisHam Ji-hoon (Mobis)
2010–11Jeonju KCC Egis4–2Wonju Dongbu PromyHa Seung-jin (KCC)
2011–12Anyang KGC4–2Wonju Dongbu PromyOh Se-keun (KGC)
2012–13Ulsan Mobis Phoebus4–0Seoul SK KnightsYang Dong-geun (Mobis)
2013–14Ulsan Mobis Phoebus4–2Changwon LG SakersMoon Tae-young (Mobis)
2014–15Ulsan Mobis Phoebus4–0Wonju Dongbu PromyYang Dong-geun (Mobis)
2015–16Goyang Orion Orions4–2Jeonju KCC EgisLee Seung-hyun (Orion)
2016–17Anyang KGC4–2Seoul Samsung ThundersOh Se-keun (KGC)
2017–18Seoul SK Knights4–2Wonju DB PromyTerrico White (SK)
2018–19Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus4–1Incheon Electroland ElephantsLee Dae-sung (Mobis)
2019–20Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21Anyang KGC4–0Jeonju KCC EgisJared Sullinger (KGC)

Titles by club
ClubTitlesRunners-upWinning SeasonsRunner-up Seasons
Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
7
3
 1997, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2018–19 1997–98, 1998–99, 2005–06
Jeonju KCC Egis
5
5
 1997–98, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2008–09, 2010–11 1999–2000, 2004–05, 2009–10, 2015–16, 2020–21
Wonju DB Promy
3
6
 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08 1997, 2003–04, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2017–18
Anyang KGC
3
0
 2011–12, 2016–17, 2020–21 —
Seoul Samsung Thunders
2
3
 2000–01, 2005–06 2007–08, 2008–09, 2016–17
Seoul SK Knights
2
2
 1999–2000, 2017–18 2001–02, 2012–13
Goyang Orion Orions
2
1
 2001–02, 2015–16 2002–03
Changwon LG Sakers
0
2
 — 2000–01, 2013–14
Suwon KT Sonicboom
0
1
 — 2006–07
Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
0
1
 — 2018–19

Prize money
  • Champions (Finals winners)
    • KRW 100,000,000 + Trophy (1997–present)
  • Runners-up (Finals losers)
    • KRW 50,000,000 (1997–present)
  • Regular Season 1st place
    • KRW 50,000,000 + Trophy (1997–2005)
    • KRW 100,000,000 + Trophy (2005–present)
  • Regular Season 2nd place
    • KRW 30,000,000 (1997–2005)
    • KRW 50,000,000 (2005–present)
  • Regular Season 3rd place
    • KRW 20,000,000 (1997–2005)
    • KRW 30,000,000 (2005–present)

Individual achievements

Awards

The KBL awards ceremony is held annually at the end of the regular season. As of the 2020–21 season, the following honours are awarded:[10]

The awards ceremony takes place at the conclusion of the regular season, before the playoffs begin. The Playoffs MVP is only awarded at the conclusion of the final Championship game.

Top scorer
See also: List of Korean Basketball League annual statistical leaders
Year Player Team Points per game
1997 Carl Ray Harris Wonju Naray Blue Bird 32.3[11]
1997–98 Larry Davis Anyang SBS Stars 30.6[12]
1998–99 Bernard Blunt Changwon LG Sakers 29.9[13]
1999–2000 Eric Eberz Gwangju Goldbank Clickers 27.7[14]
2000–01 Dennis Edwards Anyang SBS Stars 33.4[15]
2001–02 Eric Eberz (2) Yeosu Korea Tender Prumi 28.3[14]
2002–03 Leon Trimmingham Seoul SK Knights 27.4[16]
2003–04 Charles Minlend Jeonju KCC Egis 27.1[17]
2004–05 Nate Johnson Daegu Orions 28.7[18]
2005–06 Dontae' Jones Anyang KT&G Kites 29.2[19]
2006–07 Pete Mickeal Daegu Orions 35.1[20]
2007–08 Terrence Shannon Incheon ET Land Black Slamer 27.2[21]
2008–09 Terrence Leather Seoul Samsung Thunders 27.5[22]
2009–10 Greg Stevenson Changwon LG Sakers 21.9[23]
2010–11 Aaron Haynes Seoul Samsung Thunders 23.1[24]
2011–12 Aaron Haynes (2) Changwon LG Sakers 27.6[24]
2012–13 Jasper Johnson Busan KT Sonicboom 19.7[25]
2013–14 Tyler Wilkerson Jeonju KCC Egis 21.5[26]
2014–15 Davon Jefferson Changwon LG Sakers 21.3[27]
2015–16 Andre Emmett Jeonju KCC Egis 26.2[28]
2016–17 Andre Emmett (2) Jeonju KCC Egis 28.8[29]
2017–18 David Simon Anyang KGC 26.1[30]
2018–19 James Mays Changwon LG Sakers 26.6[31]

Draft

Domestic players, defined as possessing South Korean citizenship according to FIBA laws, are recruited through an annual rookie draft. The draft has been held since 1998. Foreign players are recruited through a separate draft and an existing quota limits each team to two foreign players. Players who have a Korean parent but hold a foreign nationality may be recruited through the ethnic draft, which waives them from being counted as a "foreign player".

Mandatory military service

KBL players are eligible to apply to fulfil their military service obligations as members of the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps. Alongside military duties, they are allowed to train as professional athletes and play for the Sangmu team. Successful applicants officially enter the military in May or June and are discharged eighteen months later in January, returning to the team rosters for the last few weeks of the season.

See also

References
  1. "나래이동통신, '남자 농구팀' 창단". Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). September 3, 1996.
  2. "[탐방! 프로농구 TG삼보] '나래 블루버드'로 출발…". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). March 3, 2005.
  3. "기업은행 농구팀 해체-창단 34년만애 매각 추진". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). November 26, 1996.
  4. "프로농구 연고지 확정-서울은 공동.부산은 기아자동차". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). November 27, 1996.
  5. "청주에서 시작한 SK 나이츠, 서울로 정착하다". BasketKorea (in Korean). March 26, 2020.
  6. "IMF 한파 농구코트도 `꽁꽁'". The Hankyoreh (in Korean). December 12, 1997.
  7. "IMF 한파에 체육기반 흔들". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). December 17, 1997.
  8. "Rule Differences". FIBA. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  9. "[프로농구]프로농구 45경기 늘어난다…팀당 54경기 6라운드". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). October 17, 2001.
  10. "2020–2021 현대모비스 프로농구 시상식 개최 안내" (in Korean). Korean Basketball League. March 29, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  11. "Calray Harris". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  12. "Laray Davis". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  13. "Bernard Blunt". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  14. "Eric Eberz". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  15. "Dennis Edwards". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  16. "Leon Trimmingham". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  17. "Charles Minlend". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  18. "Nathanel Johnson". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  19. "Dantae Jones". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  20. "Fenton Mickeal". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  21. "Terrence Shannon". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  22. "Terrence Leather". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  23. "Gregory Stevenson". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  24. "Aaron Haynes". worldhoopstats.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  25. "KBL 2012-2013". asia-basket.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  26. "KBL 2013-2014". asia-basket.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  27. "KBL 2014-2015". asia-basket.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  28. "KBL 2015-2016". asia-basket.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  29. "KBL 2016-2017". asia-basket.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  30. "KBL 2017-2018". asia-basket.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  31. "KBL 2018-2019". asia-basket.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
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