Fixtures

DateRHome vs Away-
2 - 07:04 - [7] KCC Egis vs Anyang Red Boosters [9] 26-26
2 - 08:46 - [8] Goyang Sky Gunners vs Dongbu Promy [6] 28-17
12/25 07:00 - Seoul Knights vs Seoul Thunders View
12/26 10:00 - Korea Gas Corporation vs Changwon Sakers View
12/27 10:00 - KCC Egis vs Mobis Phoebus View
12/27 10:00 - Dongbu Promy vs Seoul Knights View
12/28 05:00 - Changwon Sakers vs Suwon Sonicboom View
12/28 05:00 - Korea Gas Corporation vs Goyang Sky Gunners View
12/28 07:00 - Anyang Red Boosters vs Seoul Thunders View
12/29 05:00 - Changwon Sakers vs Dongbu Promy View
12/29 05:00 - Mobis Phoebus vs Goyang Sky Gunners View
12/29 07:00 - KCC Egis vs Seoul Knights View

Results

Date R Home vs Away -
12/24 10:00 - [4] Suwon Sonicboom vs Mobis Phoebus [2] 91-78
12/22 07:00 - [5] Dongbu Promy vs Suwon Sonicboom [4] 77-81
12/22 05:00 - [8] Anyang Red Boosters vs Changwon Sakers [6] 60-69
12/22 05:00 - [6] KCC Egis vs Korea Gas Corporation [3] 71-97
12/21 07:00 - [5] Dongbu Promy vs Mobis Phoebus [1] 95-72
12/21 05:00 - [8] Anyang Red Boosters vs Seoul Knights [2] 73-77
12/21 05:00 - [9] Goyang Sky Gunners vs Seoul Thunders [9] 81-61
12/20 10:00 - [4] Suwon Sonicboom vs Korea Gas Corporation [3] 88-86
12/20 10:00 - [7] Changwon Sakers vs KCC Egis [5] 86-74
12/19 10:00 - [6] Dongbu Promy vs Anyang Red Boosters [8] 74-57
12/19 10:00 - [1] Mobis Phoebus vs Seoul Thunders [9] 81-79
12/18 10:00 - [10] Goyang Sky Gunners vs Suwon Sonicboom [4] 75-58

The Korean Basketball League (Korean: 한국프로농구) or simply KBL is a professional men's basketball league in South Korea which was established in 1997. The league consists of ten teams and each team plays a total of 54 games (27 home and 27 away) in the regular season.

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 (농구대잔치), a 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".

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. 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. 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.

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. Between 1997 and 2001, five of the ten teams had changed ownership due to financial problems.

The Korea Basketball League (KBL) is the premier professional basketball league in South Korea, showcasing the nation's top talent and thrilling competition. Established in 1997, the KBL has grown into a vibrant sports league that captivates fans with its fast-paced games and high-level athleticism.

The league features a mix of local and international players, with teams representing cities across South Korea. Each season, teams compete in a rigorous schedule of regular-season games, culminating in an exciting playoff series to determine the league champion. The KBL is known for its passionate fan base, electrifying game-day atmospheres, and a commitment to promoting basketball at all levels.

In addition to the on-court action, the KBL plays a significant role in the development of basketball in South Korea, fostering young talent through various youth programs and initiatives. The league also emphasizes sportsmanship and community engagement, making it a cornerstone of South Korean sports culture.

With its blend of tradition and modernity, the Korea Basketball League continues to elevate the sport, drawing attention from basketball enthusiasts both domestically and internationally. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the game, the KBL offers an unforgettable experience filled with excitement, skill, and the spirit of competition.