(Seoul=News1) Heejin Jeong = South Korea’s men’s basketball team defeated Japan to win Asian Games gold.
Led by head coach Nikolajs Mazurs, South Korea defeated host nation Japan 67-57 in the final at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, on Sept. 20. The victory marked South Korea’s first Asian Games men’s basketball gold since the 2014 Incheon Games, ending a 12-year drought.
The team’s run to the title drew particular attention as the squad had to overcome a series of logistical problems. On the morning of the final, the team had to cancel its scheduled shootaround after the shuttle bus assigned to transport players to the training venue never arrived. The Korea Basketball Association said it had confirmed the bus reservation with organizers in writing beforehand. In response, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee lodged an official protest with the organizing committee and requested a meeting with senior officials.
The transport issues lingered through departure. South Korean forward Yeo Jun-seok shared photos on social media with the caption: “Even on the day we leave, the bus didn’t show up.”
Lodging was another challenge. Ahead of the tournament, the team was placed in a temporary container village at the Port of Nagoya. The cramped quarters were ill-suited for the team’s tall players, hampering rest and recovery. Following the quarterfinals, the team relocated to a hotel.
The final was intensely physical and featured officiating that appeared to favor the home team. Japan was awarded 14 free throws but converted just five, failing to capitalize on the opportunities.
South Korea also made history by winning all six games without a naturalized player, signaling the emergence of a new generation of domestic talent. While Japan bolstered its roster with naturalized players, South Korea had competed without one in the two years following Ra Gun-ah’s departure from the national team. Nonetheless, South Korea defeated Japan twice during the tournament.
Star forward Lee Hyun-jung led the charge, following in the footsteps of his mother, Seong Jeong-a, who helped South Korea win the women’s basketball gold medal at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. With the gold medal, Lee is now eligible for South Korea’s military service exemption, potentially removing a major hurdle in his pursuit of an NBA career.
After going undrafted in 2022, Lee built up his professional resume in Australia and Japan, notably helping Nagasaki Velca capture the B.League title last season. Ahead of the Asian Games, he inked an Exhibit 10 deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, reviving his bid for an NBA roster spot.
#Asiangame #teamkorea #leehyunjung
Led by head coach Nikolajs Mazurs, South Korea defeated host nation Japan 67-57 in the final at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, on Sept. 20. The victory marked South Korea’s first Asian Games men’s basketball gold since the 2014 Incheon Games, ending a 12-year drought.
The team’s run to the title drew particular attention as the squad had to overcome a series of logistical problems. On the morning of the final, the team had to cancel its scheduled shootaround after the shuttle bus assigned to transport players to the training venue never arrived. The Korea Basketball Association said it had confirmed the bus reservation with organizers in writing beforehand. In response, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee lodged an official protest with the organizing committee and requested a meeting with senior officials.
The transport issues lingered through departure. South Korean forward Yeo Jun-seok shared photos on social media with the caption: “Even on the day we leave, the bus didn’t show up.”
Lodging was another challenge. Ahead of the tournament, the team was placed in a temporary container village at the Port of Nagoya. The cramped quarters were ill-suited for the team’s tall players, hampering rest and recovery. Following the quarterfinals, the team relocated to a hotel.
The final was intensely physical and featured officiating that appeared to favor the home team. Japan was awarded 14 free throws but converted just five, failing to capitalize on the opportunities.
South Korea also made history by winning all six games without a naturalized player, signaling the emergence of a new generation of domestic talent. While Japan bolstered its roster with naturalized players, South Korea had competed without one in the two years following Ra Gun-ah’s departure from the national team. Nonetheless, South Korea defeated Japan twice during the tournament.
Star forward Lee Hyun-jung led the charge, following in the footsteps of his mother, Seong Jeong-a, who helped South Korea win the women’s basketball gold medal at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. With the gold medal, Lee is now eligible for South Korea’s military service exemption, potentially removing a major hurdle in his pursuit of an NBA career.
After going undrafted in 2022, Lee built up his professional resume in Australia and Japan, notably helping Nagasaki Velca capture the B.League title last season. Ahead of the Asian Games, he inked an Exhibit 10 deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, reviving his bid for an NBA roster spot.
#Asiangame #teamkorea #leehyunjung