2024–25 KBL Season: Changwon LG Sakers Secure Historic First Championship
The 2024–25 season of the Korean Basketball League (KBL), South Korea's premier professional basketball league, concluded with a historic milestone. After a season that began on 19 October 2024, the Changwon LG Sakers rose to the occasion to claim their first-ever championship in the franchise's 28-year history.
The season was marked by intense competition among 10 professional teams, each competing in a 54-game regular season. While the Busan KCC Egis entered the season as the defending champions, they were ultimately eliminated during the regular season, clearing the path for a new era in Korean basketball.
Key Facts
- Champions: Changwon LG Sakers (1st title)
- Runners-up: Seoul SK Knights
- Finals MVP: Heo Il-young (Changwon LG Sakers)
- Regular Season Duration: 19 October 2024 – 15 May 2025
- Asian Qualification: Changwon LG Sakers qualified for the 2025 Basketball Champions League Asia.
League Structure and Regular Season
The KBL operates with a structured format designed to reward consistency. During the regular season, every team plays 54 games, facing each opponent six times. The standings at the end of this period determine the postseason path:
- Direct Semifinal Berth: Awarded to the top two teams in the standings.
- Quarter-finals Qualification: Teams finishing from 3rd to 6th place advance to the knockout stages.
Regular Season Standings
The Seoul SK Knights dominated the regular season, finishing in first place with a win-loss record of 41–13 and a winning percentage of .759. The Changwon LG Sakers secured the second seed, ensuring their direct entry into the semifinals.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PCT | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seoul SK Knights | 54 | 41 | 13 | .759 | Semi-finals |
| 2 | Changwon LG Sakers | 54 | 34 | 20 | .630 | Semi-finals |
| 3 | Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus | 54 | 33 | 21 | .611 | Quarter-finals |
| 4 | Suwon KT Sonicboom | 54 | 33 | 21 | .611 | Quarter-finals |
| 5 | Daegu KOGAS Pegasus | 54 | 28 | 26 | .519 | Quarter-finals |
| 6 | Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters | 54 | 25 | 29 | .463 | Quarter-finals |
The Road to the Championship
The playoffs commenced on 12 April 2025, leading to a high-stakes final series. The Changwon LG Sakers faced the Seoul SK Knights in the Finals. In a hard-fought series, the Sakers emerged victorious with a 4–2 series win, officially securing their first KBL title.
Heo Il-young was named the Finals MVP for his exceptional performance throughout the championship series. Following their success, both the Changwon LG Sakers and the runners-up, Seoul SK Knights, earned qualification for the 2025–26 East Asia Super League.
Playoff Progression
- Quarterfinals: Featured matchups including Seoul SK Knights vs. Suwon KT Sonicboom and Changwon LG Sakers vs. Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.
- Semifinals: The top four teams competed for a spot in the championship series.
- Finals: Changwon LG Sakers defeated Seoul SK Knights 4–2.
Team and Player Statistics
The 2024–25 season showcased remarkable individual talents. Jameel Warney of the Seoul SK Knights led the league in Points Per Game (PPG) with an average of 22.6. Defensively, Lee Jung-hyun of the Goyang Sono Skygunners was a standout, leading in scoring for defensive players with 16.8 PPG.
Individual Statistical Leaders
- Points Per Game (Offense): Jameel Warney (Seoul SK Knights) – 22.6
- Points Per Game (Defense): Lee Jung-hyun (Goyang Sono Skygunners) – 16.8
- Rebounds Per Game (Offense): Assem Marei (Changwon LG Sakers) – 13.1
- Field Goal Percentage: Shawn Long (Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus) – 60.8%
- Three-Point Percentage: Lee Geun-hwi (Busan KCC Egis) – 42.5%
KBL Team Information
The league consists of 10 teams based in various cities across South Korea. Each team is permitted to register two foreign players and one Asian quota player to bolster their rosters.
| Team | City | Arena | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters | Anyang | Anyang Gymnasium | 6,690 |
| Busan KCC Egis | Busan | Sajik Arena | 14,099 |
| Changwon LG Sakers | Changwon | Changwon Gymnasium | 6,000 |
| Daegu KOGAS Pegasus | Daegu | Daegu Gymnasium | 3,867 |
| Goyang Sono Skygunners | Goyang | Goyang Gymnasium | 6,216 |
| Seoul Samsung Thunders | Seoul | Jamsil Arena | 11,069 |
| Seoul SK Knights | Seoul | Jamsil Students' Gymnasium | 6,229 |
| Suwon KT Sonicboom | Suwon | Suwon KT Sonicboom Arena | 3,339 |
| Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus | Ulsan | Dongchun Gymnasium | 5,831 |
| Wonju DB Promy | Wonju | Wonju Gymnasium | 4,600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2024–25 KBL championship?
The Changwon LG Sakers won their first KBL title in the franchise's 28-year history by defeating the Seoul SK Knights in the finals.
Who was named the Finals MVP?
Heo Il-young of the Changwon LG Sakers was named the Finals Most Valuable Player.
How many games does each team play in a regular season?
Each team plays a total of 54 games during the regular season.
Which teams qualified for the 2025–26 East Asia Super League?
Both the champions (Changwon LG Sakers) and the runners-up (Seoul SK Knights) qualified for the league.
What is the foreign player quota in the KBL?
Each KBL team is allowed to register two foreign players and one Asian quota player.