Japan and Korea, both countries rich in basketball tradition, both have storied programs have had the Asian player quota but exclusive only to Japanese and Korean players.
According to the FIBA.Basketball website, “The most recent example of the cooperation between these two is the implementation of the “Asian Player Quota” in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) for the first time in this upcoming 2020-2021 season. The rule will allow players from Japan to play in Korea’s professional basketball league.”
Both countries greatly benefitted from the partnership in terms of transfers of knowledge and exchange of best practices.
The measure barely warmed its seat when rumors started to swirl around about Japanese shooter Nakamura Taichi moving to KBL team Wonju DB Promy.
Fast forward to 2021, as of this writing, there are about 8-9 Filipino players playing in the B League. The internationalisation of Philippine basketball has begun, these young men will not only be able to improve their skills but also learn more about themselves, a different culture and way of life, and establish lifelong relationships with teammates and players from other countries.
According to a Spin.ph piece dated September 25, 2021, “But as eventful as this season is for the Filipinos, we’re not the lone nationality that’s looking to take the B.League by storm through the Asian Players Quota.
Five other Asians from four other countries have agreed to terms with Japanese ballclubs as they also aim to prove themselves in the Land of the Rising Sun.“
They are, Yang Jae-min of the Shinshu Brave Warriors, Wang Weija of the Akita Northern Happinets, Brandon Jawato of the Utsonomiya Brex, Liu Jin of the Nishinomiya Storks, and Lin Chih Wei of the Rising Zephyr Fukuoka.
The Asian Players Quota will mean an upgrade in the level and quality of play in both the B League and the KBL. Local players will have to work harder and train harder lest they be replaced by an Asian player.
