The Tainan TSG GhostHawks have announced the signing of Ondřej Balvín, a 217cm Czech center with extensive experience at the highest levels of European basketball.
Balvín spent several seasons in Spain’s Liga ACB, before also playing in China and Australia. During the 2023 NBL season, he was named both the league’s rebounding champion and blocks leader.
In 2025-26, Balvín played for the Hong Kong Bulls, continuing to build experience in Asian basketball.
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“I WANTED TO COMPLETE THE PARTNERSHIP”
Balvín had already been in contact with the GhostHawks last summer, but the move did not happen as he was close to signing with a Chinese team.
“Head coach Raoul Korner and the club’s basketball philosophy left a very good impression on me. That became one of the important factors in my decision this year and made me want to complete the partnership that we couldn’t complete last year.”
He also highlighted the growth of basketball in Taiwan:
“I’ve seen that Taiwanese basketball and the league are growing very quickly every year, and I’m really excited to become part of it.”
“I WILL BRING PHYSICALITY AND INTENSITY IN THE PAINT”
Balvín knows exactly what he can bring to his new team:
“I will bring physicality and intensity in the paint, take care of the rebounds and do the things a big man needs to do in the paint.”
He also believes his presence can create opportunities for his teammates:
“When opponents focus their defensive attention on me, I can also help my teammates find better offensive opportunities.”
KORNER: “HE GIVES US A PAINT PRESENCE WE LACKED”
Head coach Raoul Korner highlighted the combination of Balvín’s size and experience:
“Most of his professional career has been spent in Europe’s top ACB League, and he has very mature game experience.”
“At 217cm, he gives us a significant advantage in terms of size, while still having enough mobility to fit into our system.”
Korner also believes Balvín can address one of the team’s weaknesses from last season:
“His rebounding and shot-blocking ability will provide the interior presence and rim protection that we lacked last season.”
And there is another aspect of his game that stood out to the coach:
“For a player of his size, he is also a very good passer, and that is an essential skill for a big man in modern basketball.”
Balvín arrives in Taiwan with the goal of becoming a key piece of the GhostHawks’ frontcourt, bringing international experience, size, rebounding and rim protection.
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