The KBL Best 5 (Korean베스트 5) an annual honor bestowed on the best players in the Korean Basketball League following every season. The honor is analogous to the "All-NBA Team" in the NBA or "Team of the Year" in association football. Voting is conducted by a panel of KBL-registered reporters and journalists who exclusively cover the sport.[1] Both domestic and foreign players are eligible for selection.

"One-club man" Yang Dong-geun holds the all-time record for the most number of selections, with nine, and Seo Jang-hoon and Kim Joo-sung are jointly ranked second, with eight selections. Moon Tae-jong and his younger brother Moon Tae-young were both selected for the 2013–14 season's Best 5, the only occasion where a pair of brothers were simultaneously selected. Heo Ung and Heo Hoon are the only other pair of brothers who have been voted into the Best 5, albeit on separate occasions.

Selections

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^ Denotes players who are still active in the KBL
* Denotes players who have been voted into the KBL All-Time Legend 12
Player (X) Denotes the number of times the player has been selected
Player
(in bold text)
Indicates the player who won the KBL Most Valuable Player in the same year

1997 to 2018–19

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From the inception of the honor, voters have selected two guards, two forwards and a center. Best 5 teams are listed according to their positions in the following descending order: two guards, two forwards and a center. The positions are generally the position the player is registered as with the KBL but "swingman" players may be listed under the position they played the most in for that particular season, resulting several players being voted into the Best 5 on different occasions in different positions.

Season Best 5
Players Teams
1997[nb 1]
Kang Dong-hee Busan Kia Enterprise
  Gerald Walker Anyang SBS Stars
Jung Jae-kun Anyang SBS Stars
Chun Hee-chul* Daegu Tongyang Orions
  Jason Williford Wonju Naray Blue Bird
1997–98
Lee Sang-min* Daejeon Hyundai Dynat
Kang Dong-hee (2) Busan Kia Enterprise
Moon Kyung-eun* Suwon Samsung Thunders
  Johnny McDowell* Daejeon Hyundai Dynat
  Keenan Jourdon Daegu Tongyang Orions
1998–99
Lee Sang-min* (2) Daejeon Hyundai Dynat
Kang Dong-hee (3) Busan Kia Enterprise
Kim Young-man Busan Kia Enterprise
  Johnny McDowell* (2) Daejeon Hyundai Dynat
Seo Jang-hoon* Cheongju SK Knights
1999–00
Kang Dong-hee (4) Busan Kia Enterprise
Cho Sung-won Daejeon Hyundai Gullivers
Hur Jae* Wonju Sambo Xers
  Johnny McDowell* (3) Daejeon Hyundai Gullivers
Seo Jang-hoon* (2) Cheongju SK Knights
2000–01
Joo Hee-jung* Suwon Samsung Thunders
Kang Dong-hee (5) Busan Kia Enterprise
Cho Sung-won (2) Changwon LG Sakers
  Artemus McClary Suwon Samsung Thunders
  Jackie Jones Cheongju SK Knights
2001–02
Kim Seung-hyun Daegu Tongyang Orions
Lee Sang-min* (3) Jeonju KCC Egis
Moon Kyung-eun* (2) Incheon SK Bigs
  Marcus Hicks Daegu Tongyang Orions
Seo Jang-hoon* (3) Seoul SK Knights
2002–03
Kang Dong-hee (6) Changwon LG Sakers
Kim Byung-chul Daegu Tongyang Orions
Kim Joo-sung* Wonju TG Xers
  Marcus Hicks (2) Daegu Tongyang Orions
Seo Jang-hoon* (4) Seoul Samsung Thunders
2003–04
Kim Seung-hyun (2) Daegu Orions
Lee Sang-min* (4) Jeonju KCC Egis
Kim Joo-sung* (2) Wonju TG Sambo Xers
 /  Charles Minlend Jeonju KCC Egis
Seo Jang-hoon* (5) Seoul Samsung Thunders
2004–05
Kim Seung-hyun (3) Daegu Orions
Shin Ki-sung Wonju TG Sambo Xers
Hyun Joo-yup* Busan KTF Magic Wings
Kim Joo-sung* (3) Wonju TG Sambo Xers
Seo Jang-hoon* (6) Seoul Samsung Thunders
2005–06
Kim Seung-hyun (4) Daegu Orions
Yang Dong-geun*[nb 2] Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
  Chris Williams Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Kim Joo-sung* (4) Wonju Dongbu Promy
Seo Jang-hoon* (7)[nb 2] Seoul Samsung Thunders
2006–07
Yang Dong-geun* (2) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Joo Hee-jung* (2) Anyang KT&G
Bang Seung-yoon Seoul SK Knights
  Pete Mickeal Daegu Orions
  Olumide Oyedeji Seoul Samsung Thunders
2007–08
Joo Hee-jung* (3) Anyang KT&G
Kim Tae-sul Seoul SK Knights
Kim Joo-sung* (5) Wonju Dongbu Promy
Terrence Shannon Sr.[nb 3] Incheon Electroland Black Slammer
Seo Jang-hoon* (8) Jeonju KCC Egis
2008–09
Joo Hee-jung* (4) Anyang KT&G
  Brian Kim (Kim Hyo-bum) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Choo Seung-gyun* Jeonju KCC Egis
Kim Joo-sung* (6) Wonju Dongbu Promy
  Terrence Leather Seoul Samsung Thunders
2009–10
Yang Dong-geun* (3) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
  Tony Akins[nb 4]
Ham Ji-hoon^ Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
   Greg Stevenson[nb 5] Changwon LG Sakers
Ha Seung-jin Jeonju KCC Egis
2010–11
Yang Dong-geun* (4) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Cho Sung-min Busan KT Sonicboom
Park Sang-oh Busan KT Sonicboom
Moon Tae-jong Incheon Electroland Elephants
Ha Seung-jin (2) Jeonju KCC Egis
2011–12
Yang Dong-geun* (5) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Kim Tae-sul (2) Anyang KGC
Kim Joo-sung* (7) Wonju Dongbu Promy
Yun Ho-young^ Wonju Dongbu Promy
Oh Se-keun^ Anyang KGC
2012–13
Yang Dong-geun* (6) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Kim Sun-hyung^ Seoul SK Knights
  Aaron Haynes* Seoul SK Knights
Moon Tae-young (2) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
   Leon Williams[nb 6] Goyang Orions
  Rod Benson[nb 6] Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
2013–14[4]
Yang Dong-geun* (7) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Cho Sung-min (2) Busan KT Sonicboom
Moon Tae-jong (2) Changwon LG Sakers
Moon Tae-young (3) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Davon Jefferson[nb 7] Changwon LG Sakers
2014–15
Yang Dong-geun* (8) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Kim Sun-hyung^ (2) Seoul SK Knights
Kim Joo-sung* (8) Wonju Dongbu Promy
Moon Tae-young (4) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
  Ricardo Ratliffe^[nb 8] Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
2015–16
Yang Dong-geun* (9) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
  Andre Emmett Jeonju KCC Egis
Ham Ji-hoon^ (2) Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Lee Jung-hyun^[nb 9] Anyang KGC
  Troy Gillenwater[nb 9] Changwon LG Sakers
Ha Seung-jin (3) Jeonju KCC Egis
2016–17[6]
Lee Jung-hyun^ (2) Jeonju KCC Egis
Park Chan-hee^ Incheon Electroland Elephants
Lee Seoung-hyun^ Goyang Orion Orions
  Aaron Haynes* (2) Goyang Orion Orions
Oh Se-keun^ (2) Anyang KGC
2017–18[7]
Doo Kyung-min^ Wonju DB Promy
Lee Jung-hyun^ (3) Jeonju KCC Egis
  Deonte Burton Wonju DB Promy
  Aaron Haynes* (3) Seoul SK Knights
Oh Se-keun^ (3) Anyang KGC
2018–19[8]
Lee Jung-hyun^ (4) Jeonju KCC Egis
Park Chan-hee^ (2) Incheon Electroland Elephants
Yang Hong-seok^ Busan KT Sonicboom
Ham Ji-hoon^ (3) Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
Ra Gun-ah^ (2) Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus

2019–20 to present

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From the 2019–20 season onwards, the season's five best players are selected by voters without regard to position.[9] The five players who received the most votes are selected. Players are listed in descending order by number of votes received.

Season Best 5
Players Teams
2019–20[10][nb 10]
Heo Hoon^ Busan KT Sonicboom
Kim Jong-kyu^ Wonju DB Promy
Song Kyo-chang^ Jeonju KCC Egis
  Jameel Warney^ Seoul SK Knights
  Cady Lalanne Changwon LG Sakers
2020–21[12]
Heo Hoon^ (2) Busan KT Sonicboom
Song Kyo-chang^ (2) Jeonju KCC Egis
  Shawn Long Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
Lee Dae-sung^ Goyang Orion Orions
Yang Hong-seok^ (2) Busan KT Sonicboom
2021–22 Choi Jun-yong^ Seoul SK Knights
  Jameel Warney^ (2) Seoul SK Knights
Lee Dae-sung^ (2) Goyang Orion Orions
Heo Ung^ Wonju DB Promy
Jeon Sung-hyeon^ Anyang KGC

Multi-time winners

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# of Selections Player Team(s) Years
9 Yang Dong-geun Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus 2005–06, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16
8 Seo Jang-hoon Cheongju SK Knights / Seoul Samsung Thunders 1998–99, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
Kim Joo-sung Wonju DB Promy 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15
6 Kang Dong-hee Busan Kia Enterprise / Changwon LG Sakers 1997, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03
4 Lee Sang-min Daejeon Hyundai / Jeonju KCC Egis 1997–98, 1998–99, 2001–02, 2003–04
Joo Hee-jung Suwon Samsung Thunders / Anyang KT&G 2000–01, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
Kim Seung-hyun Daegu Orions 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06
Moon Tae-young Changwon LG Sakers / Ulsan Mobis Phoebus 2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
Lee Jung-hyun Anyang KGC / Jeonju KCC Egis 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
3   Johnny McDowell Daejeon Hyundai Dynat / Gullivers 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00
Ha Seung-jin Jeonju KCC Egis 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16
Ham Ji-hoon Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus 2009–10, 2015–16, 2018–19
Oh Se-keun Anyang KGC 2011–12, 2016–17, 2017–18
  Aaron Haynes Seoul SK Knights / Goyang Orion Orions 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18

Notes

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  1. ^ Domestic basketball was then an amateur sport and the inaugural season of the professional league began play in February 1997 to allow for a smooth transition.
  2. ^ a b Yang Dong-geun and Seo Jang-hoon were joint winners of the KBL Most Valuable Player Award for the 2005–06 season.
  3. ^ Award was revoked after the KBL permanently expelled Shannon due to his drug possession charges.[2]
  4. ^ Akins was later known by his Korean name Chon Tae-poong (전태풍) after obtaining South Korean citizenship and renouncing his American citizenship as South Korean law did not allow for dual nationality at that time.[3]
  5. ^ Stevenson has been known by his Korean name Moon Tae-young (문태영) after obtaining South Korean citizenship through his Korean mother.
  6. ^ a b Joint selection in the center position
  7. ^ Award was nullified after his expulsion from the KBL
  8. ^ Ratliffe became a naturalized South Korean citizen in 2018 and has gone by his Korean name Ra Gun-ah (라건아) since then.[5]
  9. ^ a b Joint selection in the forward position
  10. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2020, the KBL board of directors voted to end the season early, in the middle of the fifth round, and cancel the play-offs. Instead the KBL board of directors declared Wonju DB Promy and Seoul SK Knights as joint first place on the league table.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "[KBL 시상식] 이정현 정규리그 국내선수 MVP 수상...외국선수 MVP는 라건아(종합)". Rookie (in Korean). March 20, 2019.
  2. ^ "[KBL 최우수 외국선수] '영구 제명' 테런스 섀넌, 그래도 남아있는 타이틀" (in Korean). BasketKorea.com. March 16, 2020.
  3. ^ "Mixed-race player gives 'hoop dreams' to multi-ethnic kids". Korea JoongAng Daily. January 29, 2013.
  4. ^ "양동근 조성민 문태영-태종, 제퍼슨 베스트 5". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). April 14, 2014.
  5. ^ "'한국인'이 된 라틀리프 "한국선수라는 자부심 갖고 뛰겠다"". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). January 22, 2018.
  6. ^ "2016-2017 KCC 프로농구 시상식 결과 안내" (in Korean). Korean Basketball League. March 27, 2017.
  7. ^ "2017-2018 정관장 프로농구 시상식 결과 안내" (in Korean). Korean Basketball League. March 14, 2018.
  8. ^ "2018-2019 SKT 5GX 프로농구 시상식 결과 안내" (in Korean). Korean Basketball League. March 20, 2019.
  9. ^ "[KBL시상식] '센터만 셋' 베스트5, 평균 198cm 역대 최고 장대 군단" (in Korean). Daum News. April 20, 2020.
  10. ^ "2019-2020 현대모비스 프로농구 시상식 결과 안내" (in Korean). Korean Basketball League. April 20, 2020.
  11. ^ "원주시, DB 공동 1위 이의제기…KBL은 재고 불가". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). March 26, 2020.
  12. ^ "2020-2021 현대모비스 프로농구 시상식 결과 안내" (in Korean). Korean Basketball League. April 7, 2021.
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