Carl Tamayo signs with Changwon in Korean Basketball League

FILE–Carl Tamayo in the Japan B.League.–B.LEAGUE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Carl Tamayo is taking his act to South Korea after signing with the Changwon LG Sakers ahead of the next Korean Basketball League season.

The Sakers on Wednesday announced their signing of the Gilas Pilipinas forward but didn’t disclose the terms of the deal.

The Changwon-based club bid farewell to Justin Gutang, who played with the club for the past two years. The team also welcomed center Darryl Monroe and resigned Assem Marei.

READ: Carl Tamayo leaves B.League team Ryukyu ‘to explore new horizons’

Tamayo will be making his first stint in Korea after playing the past two seasons in Japan with the Ryukyu Golden Kings.

The former University of the Philippines star, who turned pro after two UAAP seasons, only played a total of 39 games with the B.League champions. 

Tamayo won a title with Ryukyu in his first year but his sophomore season in Japan was cut short after he and the club mutually parted ways early this year, averaging 3.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

READ: Carl Tamayo shines in Ryukyu’s B.League opener

The 23-year-old big man played for Gilas Pilipinas in the first window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Tamayo will replace Gutang, who averaged  8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 58 games with the Sakers last season.

Changwon finished with a 31-19 record in the regular season but fell to Suwon in the semifinals.