The B.League has announced a significant expansion of its Asia Special Quota program for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
This move looks to further diversify the league’s talent pool by including players from the Middle East for the first time, alongside an expanded roster of countries from East, Southeast, and South Asia.
The Asia Special Quota has been a vital aspect of the B.League’s strategy to enhance the quality of basketball in the region. It initially allowed teams to sign players from select East and Southeast Asian countries.
Last year, the quota included players from China, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
This year, the B.League extended the program to encompass more regions, adding Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, along with the first South Asian representative, India.
With the new expansion set for the 2025-26 season, the Asia Special Quota will now apply to players from 14 countries and regions.
The latest addition to the list is Lebanon, bringing in the Middle East’s strong basketball tradition to Japan’s premier league.
This inclusion means that Lebanon’s basketball stars, such as Wael Arakji, will now have the opportunity to showcase their talents in one of Asia’s most competitive leagues.
The expansion also strengthens the league’s connection with South Asia, as Indian basketball prospect Princepal Singh – alongside other emerging talents from the region – will now have a clear pathway to compete at the highest levels in Asia.
This expansion comes as the B.League has already established itself as a top destination for basketball talent across Asia.
The league has become home to several former PBA stars, such as Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks, and Matthew Wright, who have opted to stay in the B.League, finding success and furthering their careers in Japan.
Additionally, the league has attracted young guns like Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, and Thirdy Ravena, who have made the B.League their new home.
The upcoming expansion is expected to further enhance the league’s reputation as a premier destination for Asian basketball stars.
