V-League foreign player draft saw a clear trend toward stability, as 6 players secured contract renewals and the top picks went to experienced talents. In the women’s division, Vanja Bukirichi is set to return to the V-League after two seasons away. She was selected first overall by Jeonggwanjang during the 2026-2027 KOVO Women’s Foreign Player Draft, held at the Clarion Congress Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic, on May 10.
Among those who re-signed were Giselle Silva, who led GS Caltex to a championship and earned MVP honors in the finals, along with Letizia Moma Basoko (Korea Expressway Corporation) and Viktoria Danchak (IBK Industrial Bank). Meanwhile, Jeonggwanjang, Hyundai Construction, and Heungkuk Life each opted for new faces.
Jeonggwanjang, which drew the first overall pick, reunited with Bukirichi—a key player in their runner-up finish during the 2024-2025 season. Standing at 198 cm, Bukirichi is known for her powerful attacking style and was widely considered the top prospect during the women’s tryouts. After Bukirichi left for the Italian league and Megawati Pertiwi also departed, Jeonggwanjang struggled to last place last season. The reunion aims to propel the team forward next season.
The women’s draft featured only six teams, as Pepper Savings Bank did not participate due to financial difficulties. Hyundai Construction, holding the second pick, selected American outside hitter Jordan Wilson. Heungkuk Life, with the third pick, chose Cuban player Yensi Kindelan, who can play both opposite spiker and middle blocker.
In the men’s division, Kyle Russell, who played for Korean Air last season, has been selected by OK Savings Bank, ensuring he remains in the V-League. OK Savings Bank used the first overall pick in the men’s foreign player draft on Russell. Despite having the second-highest probability (30 balls) behind Samsung Fire & Marine (35 balls), OK Savings Bank luckily landed the top pick.
Russell first joined the V-League in the 2020-2021 season with Korea Electric Power Corporation. He later played for Samsung Fire & Marine in 2021-2022 and then for Korean Air in 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. Korean Air parted ways with Russell ahead of the championship finals and signed José Mazzo, eventually winning the title.
Samsung Fire & Marine, under new head coach Tommi Tiilikainen, selected Brazilian tall attacker Felipe Roki, who stands 212 cm and can play both outside hitter and opposite spiker.
Korean Air, the overall champion last season, luckily obtained the third overall pick with only five balls. They selected Canadian player Xander Ketrzynski, a 207 cm outside hitter and opposite spiker.
KB Insurance used the sixth pick to select German opposite spiker Linus Weber.
Leonardo Leyva Martinez (Hyundai Capital), Sheron Vernon Evans (Korea Electric Power Corporation), and Rafael Araujo (Woori Card) all re-signed with their teams.
