
Basketball in South Korea has a long history, with the sport being introduced to the country as early as the 1950s. The Korea Development Bank (KDB) and Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) established their basketball teams during this time, and the sport's popularity grew rapidly in the following decades, with the success of the NBA in Korea and the explosive popularity of cartoon slam dunks. The Korean Basketball League (KBL), a professional men's basketball league, was established in 1997, with the first full season played between 1997 and 1998. The South Korean men's national basketball team has also been successful, qualifying for the FIBA World Cup eight times and winning a record 25 medals at the FIBA Asia Cup.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year the Korea Basketball Association joined FIBA | 1947 |
| Year the Korean Basketball League was established | 1997 |
| Number of teams in the Korean Basketball League | 10 |
| Number of games played in the regular season | 54 |
| Year the rookie draft was first held | 1998 |
| Year the ethnic draft was abolished | 2013 |
| Year the "Asian Player Quota" programme was introduced | 2020 |
| Year South Korea finished in the Final Four of a major international basketball tournament in Asia | 1954 |
| Year South Korea won the Asian Championship | 1969 |
| Year South Korea won the Asian Games | 1970 |
| Year South Korea qualified for the Basketball World Cup after a 20-year hiatus | 2014 |
| Year South Korea won the bronze medal at the FIBA Asia Cup | 2017 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Korean Basketball League (KBL) was established in 1997
- The Korea Basketball Association joined FIBA in 1947
- South Korea's national team has qualified for the FIBA World Cup eight times
- The KBL consists of ten teams, each playing 54 games in the regular season
- The KBL has an annual rookie draft for domestic players

The Korean Basketball League (KBL) was established in 1997
Basketball in South Korea has a long history, with the Korea Basketball Association joining the International Federation of Basketball (FIBA) in 1947, just two years after the establishment of the People's Republic of Korea. The South Korea men's national basketball team has since gone on to achieve notable successes in international competitions, including a record 25 medals at the FIBA Asia Cup.
The Korean Basketball League (KBL), a professional men's basketball league, was established in 1997, marking a significant milestone in the sport's development in the country. The KBL consists of ten teams, with each team playing a total of 54 games (27 home and 27 away) during the regular season. The league's founding teams included Busan Kia Enterprise, Gyeongnam LG Sakers, Daegu Tongyang Orions, Suwon Samsung Thunders, and Wonju Naray Blue Bird, among others. The early years of the KBL were challenging due to financial instability, coinciding with the 1997 Asian financial crisis that severely impacted South Korea.
Prior to the establishment of the KBL, domestic basketball in South Korea was primarily an amateur sport. Teams were often sponsored by corporate companies or universities and participated in the National Basketball Festival, sanctioned by the Korea Basketball Association. Notable pioneers of domestic college basketball include Yonsei University and Korea University, which introduced the sport to their institutions before World War II.
The KBL has played a crucial role in the development of basketball in South Korea, providing a platform for professional players and contributing to the sport's growing popularity. The league has also implemented various initiatives to enhance the quality of basketball in the country, such as the introduction of the "Asian Player Quota" programme for Japanese players ahead of the 2020-21 season.
The KBL Cup, held annually in September, includes all ten KBL league teams, as well as the Sangmu Basketball Team, bringing the total to eleven participating teams. The regular season runs from October to early April, with each team playing against the other nine teams six times. The top six teams in the regular season standings advance to the post-season playoffs, with the quarter-finals or semi-finals qualification determined by their rankings.
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The Korea Basketball Association joined FIBA in 1947
Basketball in South Korea is governed by the Korea Basketball Association (KBA). The KBA was formed in 1925 and is based in Seoul. In 1947, two years after the establishment of the People's Republic of Korea, the KBA joined the International Federation of Basketball (FIBA). This allowed South Korea to send its national teams to FIBA-sponsored events.
The South Korea men's national basketball team represents the country in international basketball competitions. They have been very successful, winning a record 25 medals at the FIBA Asia Cup and qualifying for every edition of the event since it began in 1960. They have also qualified for the FIBA World Cup eight times.
The Korean Basketball League (KBL) is a professional men's basketball league in South Korea. It was established in 1997 and consists of ten teams. Each team plays a total of 54 games (27 home and 27 away) in the regular season. The KBL Cup is an annual tournament that includes all ten KBL league teams, as well as the Sangmu Basketball Team, bringing the total to eleven teams. The regular season runs from October to early April, and the playoffs usually begin about a week after the regular season ends.
The South Korean national team has experienced a "'generational change'" in recent years, with younger players being introduced to the squad more regularly. They qualified for the 2014 Basketball World Cup for the first time in almost 20 years, and in 2017, they won the bronze medal at the FIBA Asia Cup. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and related regulations, the national team had to withdraw from the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers and was disqualified.
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South Korea's national team has qualified for the FIBA World Cup eight times
Basketball in South Korea dates back to before World War II, when it was introduced to universities by students who had studied abroad. The Korean Basketball League (KBL) is a professional men's basketball league in South Korea that was established in 1997. The league consists of ten teams, and each team plays a total of 54 games in the regular season.
The South Korea men's national basketball team represents the nation in international basketball competitions. They are administered by the Korea Basketball Association, which joined the International Federation of Basketball (FIBA) in 1947. South Korea is a major force among the national teams of FIBA Asia, having won a record 25 medals at the FIBA Asia Cup. They are the only nation that has qualified for every edition of the event since it began in 1960.
On a global level, South Korea has qualified for the FIBA World Cup eight times. They first qualified for the FIBA World Championship in 1970, when they finished ahead of Australia and Egypt as the only remaining Asian team in the championship. South Korea's best performance at the FIBA World Cup was in 1970, when Shin Dong-Pa dominated all scorers, averaging 32.6 points per game.
After a 20-year drought, South Korea qualified for the FIBA World Cup again in 2014. Although they were eliminated in the first round, the qualification provided much-needed global exposure for the team. Under coach Kim Sang-shik, South Korea secured their place at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Despite injury problems, they ended their losing streak at the tournament, winning their last game against the Ivory Coast. Cho Sang-hyun took over as coach in September 2021 and is expected to lead the team to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
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The KBL consists of ten teams, each playing 54 games in the regular season
Basketball in South Korea has a long history, with the country's national team first joining the International Federation of Basketball (FIBA) in 1947. The Korean Basketball League (KBL) is a professional men's basketball league in South Korea that was established in 1997. The KBL consists of ten teams, with each team playing 54 games in the regular season (27 home games and 27 away games). 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. The Cheongju SK Knights were added as the tenth team for the 1997-98 season, the league's first full season.
The KBL follows the FIBA rules for standards of play and court dimensions. The regular season runs from October to early April, with each team playing against the other nine teams six times (three home games and three away games). This results in a total of 54 games played in six rounds. Only the top six teams in the regular season standings advance to the post-season playoffs, with the qualification for the quarter-finals or semi-finals determined by their regular-season rankings. The teams ranked from third to sixth qualify for the quarter-finals, while the teams ranked first and second advance directly to the semi-finals. The semi-finals are played in a best-of-five format, with the winning teams advancing to the KBL championship finals, which are played in a best-of-seven format.
The KBL All-Star Game is an annual event held in mid-January, usually in Seoul. In the All-Star Game, five players from each of the ten teams are nominated for the All-Star fan vote, with the top 24 players selected to participate. The two players with the most votes form their teams by recruiting eleven players each, regardless of their original teams. The KBL Award Ceremony is held right after the end of the regular season, with the playoffs typically starting a week later. Teams that do not qualify for the playoffs take a short break before beginning their off-season training to prepare for the next season.
The KBL has faced financial instability in the past, particularly during the early years due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis, which impacted South Korea significantly. Between 1997 and 2001, five out of the ten teams changed ownership due to financial difficulties. The KBL also struggled to find a league sponsor for the 1997-98 season, forcing teams to cut costs. Despite these challenges, the KBL has continued to develop and is an important part of professional basketball in South Korea.
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The KBL has an annual rookie draft for domestic players
Basketball in South Korea has a long history, with the Korea Basketball Association joining the International Federation of Basketball (FIBA) in 1947, two years after the establishment of the People's Republic of Korea. The Korean Basketball League (KBL) is a professional men's basketball league in South Korea that was established in 1997. The KBL consists of ten teams, with each team playing a total of 54 games in the regular season.
The KBL holds an annual rookie draft for domestic players, which has been taking place since 1998. Domestic players are defined as those possessing South Korean citizenship according to FIBA laws. The rookie draft initially took place in January or February, marking the end of the academic year, and all draft prospects were college seniors. However, this timing presented a problem, as rookies only joined their teams towards the end of the KBL season, which runs from October to March. As a result, in 2012, the draft was rescheduled to October or November, allowing players to finish the college season and declare eligibility before participating in the try-outs.
The annual rookie draft is a crucial event for the KBL teams, as it allows them to take turns selecting amateur basketball players and other eligible players. Eligible players attend a series of try-outs organized by the KBL, where their physical attributes, such as height and arm span, are assessed. Their predicted draft rankings are based on their performances during the U-League season, high school tournaments, or senior national team appearances. Only South Korean citizens are eligible for the draft, while foreign players are drafted separately due to the existing foreign player quota.
The KBL also holds an annual award ceremony to recognize the best-performing rookie player. Both foreign and domestic players can be nominated for the "Rookie of the Year" award, provided they meet specific criteria. Domestic players must be in their first two seasons and have played at least 50% of the league games, while foreign players with overseas experience may be considered but must have less than a year of professional team experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Basketball was introduced to South Korea before World War II, with Yonsei University and Korea University pioneering domestic college basketball. In 1947, two years after the establishment of the People's Republic of Korea, the Korea Basketball Association joined the International Federation of Basketball (FIBA) and sent its national teams to FIBA-sponsored events.
South Korea has qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup every year since its inception in 1960.
South Korea has qualified for the FIBA World Cup eight times throughout its history, first qualifying in 1970.
The Korean Basketball League (KBL) was established in 1997.







































