Kiefer Ravena, AJ Edu named to 'B.League United' pool

MANILA, May 18 ------ Filipino players Kiefer Ravena and AJ Edu have been named to the player pool of B.League United, a newly-formed squad "made up of promising young players." The team was formed as part of the B.League's goal of "producing five NBA players by 2030." 

The B.League United team is made up of "young players with an eye on future overseas challenges to gain more international experience, as well to improve their individual levels and the competitiveness of the whole league." Ravena of Yokohama BC and Edu of Nagasaki are two of 31 players included in the candidate pool. 

The team will first see action on June 28 and 29 in the B.League Global Invitational, where they will play against a select team from Australia's National Basketball League at the Open House Arena Ota in Ota City, Gunma. After the Global Invitational, the B.League promised to create more opportunities for players of B.League United "to compete on the international stage." 

Ravena has played in the B.League since 2021, joining the Shiga Lakes after a stint with the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA. He joined Yokohama in June 2024. Edu, a standout for Gilas Pilipinas, joined the B.League in 2023 when he signed with the Toyama Grouses. He signed with Nagasaki in July 2024. 

Source: news.abs-cbn.com