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Glen Yang has joined P League+ side Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers. Photo: Handout
SportBasketball

Jeremy Lin and Taiwan’s best await for Hong Kong basketball star Yang after he joins Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers

  • Point guard Glen Yang is ready to test himself in P League+ this season after joining franchise
  • Yang was among those players left without a club when the Bay Area Dragons folded without warning
CBA (Chinese Basketball Association)
Mike Chan
Mike Chan
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Hong Kong basketball’s Glen Yang is looking forward to testing himself against the likes of former NBA star Jeremy Lin after signing for Taiwanese side Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers.

Yang, a former member of the now-disbanded Bay Area Dragons, will be playing in the self-ruled island’s P League+ when the new season tips off next month.

After averaging 10.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists in the Philippine Basketball Association’s Commissioner’s Cup for the Dragons, the point guard said the opportunity to play in Taiwan was one “couldn’t pass up”.

“I’ve watched quite a bit of the Taiwanese P League+ and T1 since my roommate a few years ago was a big fan,” the Canada-born Yang said. “It’s a fast-paced league with lots of high-level imports and the players are dynamic.

“I expect to go hard every practice and game and make the most of the season. I know I am ready for this opportunity.”

Glen Yang is relishing the prospect of taking on former NBA star Jeremy Lin. Photo: Handout
It’s not just the league itself that is intriguing, with Yang relishing the opportunity to play against former NBA sensation Lin, who signed with the New Taipei Kings last month.

“I think everyone at one point idolised or looked up to Lin especially if you come from Asian descent,” Yang said. “So, to say I’m not excited to play against him now would be an understatement.

“However, I am ready for the match-up and I look forward to competing against him and testing my abilities. It’s always fun playing against other high-level players.”

With the regular season running from November 11 to May 19 next year, Yang is also expected to play for the Hong Kong Bulls in China’s second tier National Basketball League later next year.

The Bulls and the Steelers are both owned by 37-year-old Tony Chin To, founder of the Hong Kong-based hedge fund manager Infini Capital.

“Obviously, the Bulls will be a great opportunity to play in front of the Hong Kong fans, as well as my friends and family,” said the 26-year-old Yang, who spent the summer with Canadian Elite Basketball League outfit the Winnipeg Sea Bears. “I am looking forward to it.

The Mount Royal University graduate, who previously played in Hong Kong for local A1 Division side South China, also believed the new Bulls’ season will be a new challenge and experience for him.

“I watched two NBL Bulls games this summer as my good friend Leung Shiu-wah is also on the team,” he said. “I think the organisation puts on a great show for the fans and the level of play is not bad at all.”

The Bulls won nine of their 22 league games to clinch the final play-offs spot in their debut season this summer, but then lost in the first round to league leaders Anhui Wenyi.

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