For the first time in East Asia Super League (EASL) history, three teams from Japan’s B.League—Utsunomiya Brex, Ryukyu Golden Kings, and Alvark Tokyo—have secured spots in the 2025-2026 season.
This development follows the league’s new qualification rule introduced earlier this month, which awards a berth to the winner of the 2025 Emperor’s Cup. However, since Ryukyu already qualified through the B.League Finals, the Cup berth was passed on to runners-up Alvark Tokyo, who lost 60-49 in the final.
Utsunomiya returns to the EASL for the first time since 2023. They also participated in the Terrific 12 tournament in 2019 before the league adopted its current home-and-away format. The Brex had an impressive 2024-2025 B.League campaign, finishing with a 48-12 record to top the East Division. In the playoffs, they swept the Mikawa Seahorses and beat the Chiba Jets 2-1 to reach the Finals.
Ryukyu secured their spot by defeating San-En Neophoenix in three games. This marks their fourth consecutive B.League Finals appearance, aiming to win their second title in three years. In EASL, the Golden Kings debuted in 2023-2024, finishing 3-3 in the group stage. They improved the next season with a 5-1 record and reached the Final Four in Macau, ultimately placing fourth.
The EASL, a premier basketball league in the Asia-Pacific, continues to raise the level of regional play and spotlight top teams across East Asia.