Best players of South Korean KBL round 43 (by Hoops Agents)

- March 19, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Assem Marei

Assem Marei

Experienced Egyptian Assem Marei (206-C-1992) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for league's leader Changwon LG Sakers and that's him to receive a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 43.
The 33-year old center had a double-double of 28 points and 17 rebounds, while his team beat Wonju DB (#4, 28-20) 77-69. The game was between two of the league's top four teams. It allowed Sakers to consolidate first place in the South Korean KBL. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. LG Sakers has a very solid 33-15 record, but they cannot be too comfortable about keeping top position. In the team's last game Marei had a remarkable 71.4% from 2-point range. He turned to be Sakers' top player in his first season with the team. Minnesota State University Mankato graduate has very impressive stats this year. Marei leads league in rebounds with 14.4rpg. Marei is in league's top in assists (6th best: 5.2apg) and averages solid 2.1spg and 52.7% FGP.

The second most remarkable performance in last round's games was young American power forward Nathan Knight (208-F/C-1997) of Sono Skygunners. Knight impressed basketball fans with a double-double of 26 points and 12 rebounds. Of course he led Skygunners to another comfortable win outscoring the lower-ranked Seoul Thunders (#10, 13-34) 98-75. Sono SG's 6th position in the standings has not changed. His team lost some distance to top teams. But a 24-23 record is not bad and everything may still change. Knight is a newcomer at Sono SG and it seems he did not have too much trouble to become one of team's leaders. He belongs to the best scorers in the league with 18.1ppg (#6). He also registered 11.4 boards per game.

The third best performed player last round was Turkish Kerem Kanter (208-F/C-1995) of Seoul Samsung Thunders (#10). Kanter scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds (!!!). Despite Kanter's great performance the Samsung Thunders lost 75-98 to the higher-ranked Sono SG (#6, 24-23). But his team cannot count on just a single player as he also needs help of the other teammates. Seoul Thunders can only dream about fighting for top spots in the league. They have extremely bad season and 13-34 record places them at the very bottom of the standings. Kanter has individually a great season in South Korea. After 47 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in rebounds with 8.1rpg (8th best).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Shawn Long (208-F-1993) of KCC Egis - 21 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists
5. Samjosef Belangel (177-G-1999) of Daegu - 23 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists
6. Rayshaun Hammonds (206-C-1998) of Mobis Phoebus - 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists
7. Myeong-jin Seo (191-G-1999) of Mobis Phoebus - 20 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists
8. Kevin Quiambao (193-SF-2001) of Sono SG - 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists
9. Ricardo Ratliffe (203-F-1989) of Daegu - 20 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists
10. Hyo-Geun Jeong (200-F-1993) of Wonju DB - 19 points and 7 rebounds

The Player of the week is selected based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3*(REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4*(2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3*(2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3*(3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

The Player of the Week awards are presented by Hoops Agents. Hoops Agents is the most complete website about the agencies and players they represent. With more than twenty years of experience, Hoops Agents is already recognized as the most reliable destination for the players who wish to continue their career in professional basketball and are searching for a reputable and connected representation. Hoops Agents is also most complete source of transactions news.

Tags : ASSEM MAREI, CHANGWON LG SAKERS, SOUTH KOREAN BASKETBALL, , EAST ASIA SUPER LEAGUE