Kevin Quiambao has been named Rookie of the Year in the Korean Basketball League for the 2025-26 season. He posted strong averages to guide the Goyang Sono Skygunners to the playoffs for the first time in team history. The former La Salle star follows in the footsteps of fellow Filipinos RJ Abarrientos and JD Cagulangan.
MANILA, Philippines – Kevin Quiambao earned Rookie of the Year honors in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) during his debut 2025-26 season with the Goyang Sono Skygunners. He averaged 15.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.1 steals, helping the team secure a 28-26 record and the fifth seed in the playoffs.
The Skygunners improved markedly from their 19-35 finish the previous season. Quiambao ranked in the top 20 league-wide in points (16th), rebounds (11th), assists (14th), and steals (19th). He played in all 54 games and led the KBL in minutes at 34:46 per game.
“I’m not really surprised with him getting Rookie of the Year. I’ve seen him work day in and day out,” said former teammate Jaylen Johnson, now with Rain or Shine in the PBA. Johnson added, “He’s a special player — he’s so versatile.”
The team surged late, going 13-2 in February and March with a 10-game winning streak, during which Quiambao averaged 18.3 points. “Stayed consistent when nobody was watching,” he posted on social media. Fellow Gilas player RJ Abarrientos said, “He deserves everything he has achieved and he deserves everything he will achieve in life.”
Quiambao, a Gilas Pilipinas mainstay, built on his La Salle college career featuring two MVPs, a championship, and a Finals MVP.
