'NBA class is still alive' — Beasley posts 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists for 'first triple-double of the season'... Can 8th-place Hyundai Mobis also turn things around?

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Darius Beasley (26), a former National Basketball Association (NBA) player, finally delivered on his reputation. He led Ulsan Hyundai Mobis out of its losing streak by recording the first triple-double of the professional basketball season.

Hyundai Mobis defeated Busan KCC 96-89 in a home game at the Ulsan Dongcheon Gymnasium on the 29th, in the regular season of the 2026~2027 KCC Pro Basketball League.

With this victory, Hyundai Mobis escaped a two-game losing streak to record three wins and six losses for the season, tying with Suwon KT for 8th place. Meanwhile, KCC, the defending champion from last season's finals, fell into a seven-game losing skid, remaining in last place with two wins and eight losses.

Beasley was at the center of the victory. On this day, Beasley recorded 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists to become the first player to achieve a triple-double in the KBL this season. He also recorded an impressive five blocks, demonstrating his presence on both ends of the court.

Notably, Hyundai Mobis was without foreign player Gagee Prime, who missed the game due to a knee injury. Beasley's burden increased due to Prime's absence, but he ran all over the court and fully fulfilled his role.

Hyundai Mobis finished the first half trailing 48-54. However, they launched a full-scale counterattack starting in the third quarter. They narrowed the gap with outside shots from Jung Jun-won and Kim Tae-wan, while Beasley also contributed by scoring in the paint and assisting his teammates' attacks.

Hyundai Mobis scored 26 points in the third quarter alone while holding KCC to 14 points. Overcoming their first-half deficit, they entered the final quarter leading 74-68.

Beasley's triple-double was completed in the fourth quarter. With only one assist remaining, he assisted Lee Woo-seok on a three-point shot to achieve the milestone. He demonstrated versatility by taking responsibility not only for scoring and rebounding but also for his teammates' offensive opportunities.

It was performance worthy of an NBA alumnus. Beasley was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. He subsequently played five seasons in the NBA, going through teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, and Utah Jazz.

Standing at 206cm tall, he is a forward with quick movement and excellent athleticism. When Hyundai Mobis signed Beasley last June, they placed their hopes not only in his ability to finish attacks but also in his versatility to handle various positions.

In fact, Beasley has averaged 21.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in nine games this season. He is serving as a key resource for the team by creating scoring opportunities, securing rebounds, and generating offensive chances for his teammates.

Domestic players also contributed against KCC. Kim Tae-wan scored 17 points, including three three-pointers, setting a new single-game scoring record for himself. Lee Woo-seok also delivered an all-around performance with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Jung Jun-won (11 points) and Kim Kyung-won (10 points) also contributed to the victory with double-digit scoring.

It was a valuable victory for Hyundai Mobis as well. The road ahead is still long. They are currently in the lower tier of the standings with three wins and six losses early in the season. However, by defeating KCC, they have created an opportunity to change the momentum. The gap with mid-tier teams is not large, making a rise in the rankings quite achievable.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original