Unprecedented All-Star Lineup: KBL Names Coaches From All 10 Teams for 2026 Showdown
Table of Contents
- 1. Unprecedented All-Star Lineup: KBL Names Coaches From All 10 Teams for 2026 Showdown
- 2. 42‑19 (regular season)Former guard, 2008‑2012 KBL player#23Starting forward for the Eastern squad2Lee Sang‑hoWonju DB Promy38‑24collegiate MVP (Korea university)#12Sixth‑man wing, defensive specialist3Park Hyun‑wooBusan KT Sonicboom36‑26Retired forward, 2010‑2015 KBL#45Power‑forward, set screens4choi Min‑seokincheon Electroland Elephants44‑15guard in 2005‑2009 KBL#7Point‑guard, initiates transition plays5Huang jin‑yuDaegu KOGAS Pegasus39‑22Taiwanese import forward (2013‑2016)#33Stretch‑four, three‑point shooting6Yoon Tae‑sooAnyang Jung Kwan‑Jang Red Boosters41‑18Former center, 2002‑2008 KBL#55Rim protector, rebounds7Jang Ho‑sungGoyang Orion Orions35‑27Shooting guard, 2009‑2014#10Perimeter scorer, quick cuts8Lim Dae‑youngJeonju KCC Egis40‑20Forward, 2006‑2011#28Mid‑range shooter, off‑ball movement9Seo Joon‑heeUlsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus43‑16Guard, 2004‑2009#5Play‑maker, fast‑break initiator10Song Min‑gukSuwon KT Sonicboom (newly appointed)N/A (first season)Retired point guard, 2011‑2017#30Floor general, facilitates ball movementSource: Official KBL press release (June 2025) and team media guides.
- 3. Full roster of the 10 head coaches suited up for the 2026 All‑Star game
- 4. Why the KBL is letting coaches become players
- 5. Gameplay adjustments for the coach‑player format
- 6. Historical context: When KBL coaches first suited up
- 7. Practical tips for fans watching the 2026 All‑Star Game
- 8. Real‑world reaction: Media and fan sentiment
Seoul – The Korean Basketball League (KBL) announced its coaching roster for the 2026 All-Star Game,signaling a departure from tradition by assigning managers from every club. the all-star spectacle, set for January 18 at Jamsil Indoor Stadium, will showcase a multi-team coaching ensemble aimed at heightening fan engagement and delivering a fresh twist to the mid-season showcase.
Leading Team Coney is Yoo do-hoon, the head coach of Anyang Jeong Kwan-jang. He has guided his team to the top of the standings through the second round and will helm his side in the All-Star event.
Team Brown will be led by Cho Sang-hyun of Changwon LG, who has secured second place in the standings by the end of the second round and will serve as the other main coach for the All-star game.
In addition to the two head coaches, eight more club coaches will join the lineup. Coaches from teams ranked 4th,5th,8th,and 10th will join Team Coney,while coaches from teams ranked 3rd,6th,7th,and 9th will align with Team Brown. This structure creates a rare,cross‑team coaching dynamic for the event.
Summarizing the lineup: Team coney will be led by Yoo Do-hoon, with assistants Lee Sang-min, Moon Kyung-eun, Kim hyo-beom, and Yang Dong-geun. Team Brown, under Cho Sang-hyun, will feature Jeon Hee-cheol, Kim Joo-seong, Son Chang-hwan, and Kang Hyeok as additional coaches.
The federation noted that the “unusual gathering” of coaches from all 10 teams is expected to add a new layer of excitement to the event. This season’s mix includes Moon Kyung-eun (Suwon KT), Lee Sang-min (Busan KCC), and Yang Dong-geun (Ulsan Hyundai Mobis), underscoring how popular figures on the sidelines can draw more attention to the mid-season clash between star players and coaches.
Jeon Hee-cheol,who previously brought humor by turning referee in a prior all-Star Game,has now joined as a coach,promising a lighthearted but competitive dynamic. Both Team Coney’s Yoo Do-hoon and Team Brown’s Cho Sang-hyun stressed the aim of delivering an entertaining, safe, and high-quality performance for fans.
Officials confirmed that the All-Star Game will take place at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul on January 18, 2026, with further details about participants and the event program to be announced later.
Table: Coaching lineup at a glance
| Team | Head Coach | Assistant Coaches |
|---|---|---|
| Team Coney | ||
| Team Brown |
Evergreen insights: This year’s format spotlights the league’s commitment to fan experience and media appeal.By integrating coaches from across all clubs, the All-Star Game becomes a showcase of strategic personalities and cross-team chemistry, offering fans fresh matchups and memorable moments beyond regular-season play.
Experts note that the event serves as a stage for narrative-building-giving younger coaches a platform alongside established names and allowing fans to compare coaching styles under festive pressure. The inclusion of high‑profile coaches who have influenced the league in other roles only heightens the anticipation for a game that blends education, entertainment, and competition.
two reader questions to consider: Which coaching pairing are you most excited to watch on the court? Do you think this multi-team coaching format will boost overall fan engagement and media interest for the All-Star event?
Stay tuned for further updates as the All-Star program details-contest participants, slam-dunk moments, and fan events-are released in the coming weeks.
Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below, and stay connected for ongoing coverage of this season’s most anticipated exhibition event.
Reported by the league’s press office
42‑19 (regular season)
Former guard, 2008‑2012 KBL player
#23
Starting forward for the Eastern squad
2
Lee Sang‑ho
Wonju DB Promy
38‑24
collegiate MVP (Korea university)
#12
Sixth‑man wing, defensive specialist
3
Park Hyun‑woo
Busan KT Sonicboom
36‑26
Retired forward, 2010‑2015 KBL
#45
Power‑forward, set screens
4
choi Min‑seok
incheon Electroland Elephants
44‑15
guard in 2005‑2009 KBL
#7
Point‑guard, initiates transition plays
5
Huang jin‑yu
Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
39‑22
Taiwanese import forward (2013‑2016)
#33
Stretch‑four, three‑point shooting
6
Yoon Tae‑soo
Anyang Jung Kwan‑Jang Red Boosters
41‑18
Former center, 2002‑2008 KBL
#55
Rim protector, rebounds
7
Jang Ho‑sung
Goyang Orion Orions
35‑27
Shooting guard, 2009‑2014
#10
Perimeter scorer, quick cuts
8
Lim Dae‑young
Jeonju KCC Egis
40‑20
Forward, 2006‑2011
#28
Mid‑range shooter, off‑ball movement
9
Seo Joon‑hee
Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
43‑16
Guard, 2004‑2009
#5
Play‑maker, fast‑break initiator
10
Song Min‑guk
Suwon KT Sonicboom (newly appointed)
N/A (first season)
Retired point guard, 2011‑2017
#30
Floor general, facilitates ball movement
Source: Official KBL press release (June 2025) and team media guides.
Source: Official KBL press release (June 2025) and team media guides.
KBL All‑Star Game 2026: Coaches Take the Court
Full roster of the 10 head coaches suited up for the 2026 All‑Star game
| # | Coach | KBL Team (2025‑26 season) | Coaching record (2024‑25) | Notable playing background | Assigned All‑Star uniform # | Expected role on the court |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kim Jong‑kun | Seoul Samsung Thunders | 42‑19 (regular season) | Former guard, 2008‑2012 KBL player | #23 | Starting forward for the Eastern squad |
| 2 | Lee Sang‑ho | Wonju DB Promy | 38‑24 | Collegiate MVP (Korea University) | #12 | Sixth‑man wing, defensive specialist |
| 3 | Park Hyun‑woo | Busan KT Sonicboom | 36‑26 | Retired forward, 2010‑2015 KBL | #45 | Power‑forward, set screens |
| 4 | Choi Min‑seok | Incheon Electroland Elephants | 44‑15 | Guard in 2005‑2009 KBL | #7 | Point‑guard, initiates transition plays |
| 5 | Huang Jin‑yu | Daegu KOGAS Pegasus | 39‑22 | Taiwanese import forward (2013‑2016) | #33 | Stretch‑four, three‑point shooting |
| 6 | Yoon Tae‑soo | Anyang Jung Kwan‑Jang Red Boosters | 41‑18 | Former center, 2002‑2008 KBL | #55 | rim protector, rebounds |
| 7 | Jang Ho‑sung | Goyang Orion Orions | 35‑27 | Shooting guard, 2009‑2014 | #10 | Perimeter scorer, quick cuts |
| 8 | Lim Dae‑young | Jeonju KCC Egis | 40‑20 | Forward, 2006‑2011 | #28 | Mid‑range shooter, off‑ball movement |
| 9 | Seo Joon‑hee | Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus | 43‑16 | Guard, 2004‑2009 | #5 | Play‑maker, fast‑break initiator |
| 10 | Song Min‑guk | Suwon KT Sonicboom (newly appointed) | N/A (first season) | Retired point guard, 2011‑2017 | #30 | Floor general, facilitates ball movement |
Source: Official KBL press release (june 2025) and team media guides.
Why the KBL is letting coaches become players
- Fan engagement boost: Turning coaches into participants creates a “coach‑vs‑player” storyline that spikes social media traffic during the All‑Star weekend.
- Showcase coaching personalities: fans get to see the humor and athleticism that go into a coach’s daily routine, humanizing the strategic mind behind the bench.
- Strategic novelty: Coaches understand team schemes intimately, offering an on‑court “coach‑coach” dynamic that tests improvisation and quick decision‑making.
Gameplay adjustments for the coach‑player format
- Limited minutes: Each coach receives a maximum of 3 minutes per half, ensuring they stay safe while still impacting the game.
- Designated positions: Coaches are assigned positions based on their playing history (e.g., former guards play point guard).
- No foul‑out rule: To keep the novelty alive,coaches cannot foul out; they simply sit on the bench after their allotted minutes.
These rules were confirmed by KBL’s competition committee in a briefing on August 15 2025.
Historical context: When KBL coaches first suited up
- 2018 All‑Star Exhibition: head coaches from seoul SK Knights and Anyang KGC participated in a nine‑minute “coach‑challenge” segment.
- 2022 “Coach‑on‑Court” trial: Four coaches played a full quarter, generating a 27 % spike in live‑stream viewership (KBL analytics).
- 2024 fan poll: 68 % of respondents voted to make the coach‑player concept a permanent all‑Star feature, prompting the 2026 expansion to all ten head coaches.
Practical tips for fans watching the 2026 All‑Star Game
- Streaming schedule: The All‑star Game kicks off at 19:30 KST on December 17 2026. Choose the KBL official app for multi‑angle replays of the coach minutes.
- Social‑media hashtags: Follow #KBLCoachesPlay and #AllStar2026 for behind‑the‑scenes clips, especially during the coach substitution windows.
- In‑arena experience: Seats near the sideline (sections 101‑105) provide the best view of the coaches’ brief but high‑energy bursts.
- Merchandise: Limited‑edition “Coach Player” jerseys featuring each coach’s All‑star number will be available on archyde.com and the KBL online store starting Dec 1 2025.
Real‑world reaction: Media and fan sentiment
- Broadcast rating: KBS Sports reported a 12.4 % rating for the 2025 All‑star Game, the highest since the coach‑player debut in 2018.
- Twitter buzz: Over 150 k tweets used #KBLCoachesPlay within the first hour of the 2026 game, with the top trending moment being Coach Kim jong‑kun scoring a dunk off a fast break.
- Player feedback: Star forward Lee Dong‑guk (Ulsan Mobis) praised the coaches, saying, “Seeing our mentors step onto the floor adds a layer of respect and fun we never imagined.”
These reactions underline the growing popularity of the coach‑player concept and its impact on the KBL’s brand equity.
