No overseas move, but the dream is still alive: Kao Kuo-hao joins Tainan TSG GhostHawks for three reasons

Kao Kuo-hao will not move overseas this season, but he says his dream of playing abroad remains alive after joining the PLG’s Tainan TSG GhostHawks.

The 27-year-old guard said teams from China, Japan and South Korea had made inquiries. He chose to stay in Taiwan for practical reasons, including the GhostHawks’ commitment and the chance to gain exposure through the East Asia Super League.

Kao averaged 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 32 games for the Hsinchu Lioneers last season. He earned places on the league’s All-First Team and All-Defensive First Team, but acknowledged that his playoff performance was not ideal and became a key obstacle to an overseas move.

He said waiting for a foreign-player vacancy could leave him inactive until the middle of the season. A previous three-month salary penalty also affected his decision. Although he could have insisted on pursuing an overseas opportunity, he decided to continue playing in Taiwan instead.

Kao said the GhostHawks’ management repeatedly checked on his performance during the Jones Cup, which made him feel needed despite his initial reluctance about moving to distant Tainan. He has begun training with the team and said he is looking forward to playing alongside Wei-chia Ku. He hopes to help the club compete for the championship.