So who has the better pro hoops league, China or Korea?

For now — after two-exhibition-runs were completed in late January between all-stars from the Chinese Basketball Association and the Korean Basketball League — the bragging rights belong to Korea, as it swept the series for the first time since it was created in 2004. KBL executives and fans, however, should remember to send thank you notes to American Donté Jones (KT & G Kites) and Nigerian Olumide Oyedeji (Samsung Thunder) who made significant contributions to Korea’s summit triumph.

In the series opener on Jan. 28 at Wuxi, China, Jones, who played collegiate ball at Mississippi State and spent one season with the Boston Celtics, went for 23 points and collected seven rebounds while Oyedeji, who once balled for the Seattle Supersonics and the Orlando Magic, chipped in 22 points and 14 boards.

In the rematch at Incheon on Jan. 30, the Korean squad racked up a 91-74 victory with Jones dropping 27 on China while Oyedeji added 20. Dong Guen Yang (Ulsan Mobis) added 18 points and five boards to Korea’s cause. China’s top performer was American Chris Porter who had 30 points and 17 boards in the series.

With the series victory, Korea was also able to exact a sense of revenge after it fell to their northern neighbor in the quarterfinals of the 2006 Asian Games, 68-52.

Aren’t comebacks sweet?