'Conquering Chinese Basketball → First KBL Challenge' Sono Signs Top-Tier Foreign Player "Powerful Physical All-Around Player"

*This content was translated by AI.

Professional basketball team Goyang Sono Skygunners have signed top-tier foreign forward Scottie James (29), who dominated the Chinese league, to launch a strong challenge for the championship in the new season.

On the 1st, Sono officially announced that it has upgraded its offensive power by signing veteran James, who has played in various leagues including Germany, Israel, and China, as its No. 1 foreign player.

James, who is taking on his first challenge in Korean basketball, said, "Coach Son Chang-hwan's proposal to achieve better results than last season was appealing, but what stood out most was the environment that allows him to focus entirely on basketball." He added, "I look forward to the day I meet the best fans in the KBL on the court. As a teammate and leader, I will strive to help Sono reach the highest position possible in pursuit of victory."

Son Chang-hwan, head coach of Sono, praised James as "a player with reliable finishing ability and the capacity to utilize diverse offensive options," explaining the rationale behind the signing: "Based on the team's mobility in the new season, we expect a lot from set offenses and spacing basketball."

James, standing at 202cm and weighing 108kg, is a versatile forward with exceptional rebounding and post-penetration abilities, built on a powerful physique. He is highly regarded for his game sense and tactical understanding, which make him an excellent team player. During his time at Liberty University, he was named to the Atlantic Sun Conference's Best Five twice and won the tournament MVP, quickly establishing himself as a standout talent.

James began his professional career in the German BBL league, then moved to Israel before joining Tianjin Longgang Pioneers in the 2022–2023 Chinese CBA season, where his skills fully blossomed. Over four seasons in China, he appeared in 158 games, averaging 32 minutes per game, and recorded 22.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and a 36.9% three-point shooting rate (2.4 made per game), showcasing his all-around abilities.

Notably, in the 2023–2024 season, he averaged 26.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists over 52 games, reaching a career high. In a game against Guangdong Southern Tigers, he posted an incredible 63 points and 20 rebounds, proving himself as the strongest foreign player on the Asian stage.

With James joining, Sono can perfectly fill the void left by Nathan Knight, who served as the team's No. 1 option last season. Knight averaged 30 minutes and 38 seconds per game in 54 regular-season games, recording 18.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. In the playoffs, he contributed 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds over 11 games.

Despite finishing fifth in the regular season last year, Sono delivered a thrilling "miracle run" in the playoffs with six consecutive victories, advancing to the championship series. After a fierce battle against Busan KCC, they finished as runners-up with a series record of one win and four losses.

Having strengthened its firepower by signing James, who dominated the Chinese league, Sono plans to finalize its roster by adding a second foreign player for the upcoming season, which will allow for a two-foreign-player system. The team aims to pair James with a top-tier No. 2 foreign player to achieve optimal chemistry.

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*This content was translated by AI.