Lee Jong-Hyun
Yoo Jae-Hak had made a choice for the men’s team that will set to compete for three slots alotted for Asia in next month’s event.
Lee Seung-Jun was named as the naturalized player of the team in a tough choice as Yoo had to cut his player, Moon Tae-Young. “It is all for the best” Yoo said. “Lee Seung-Jun is taller and brings energy to the team where Iran, China and the Philippines has tall players in this tourney.” Yoo added that Moon Tae-Young, had he been chosen would bring in its share of advantages for the team, but Yoo said that in the flight back home after finishing third in the 35th William Jones Cup, it was a tough choice to make between the two. “Both would have given us advantages and disadvantages. I had to choose carefully.”
The additions of Choi Joon-Young and Moon-Seung Gon took everyone by surprise. Choi despite playing for the East Asian Basketball Tournament and winning gold but had to take participate in the U19 team that competed in the recent FIBA U19 World Championship held in Prague this month, as he was taken aside in favor of the veteran KBL players. Moon Seung-Gon survived to the 15 man player pool, but was not with the team in the recently concluded Jones Cup as Yoo opted for Moon Tae-Young at SF.
“Choi is a versatile and tall forward. He can shoot and with his wingspan, can be a lot of help in the defense.” Yoo said. “While Moon Seung-Gon can play SF and SG, on which he and Kim Min-Koo are adept in doing so.” Yoo said in addition. “When I had to cut Moon Tae-Young, we lost a wing scorer so Choi and Moon Seung-Gon will provide us that.”
The roster is a blend of youth and experience; true to what Yoo Jae-Hak said about envisioning a team that is focused on veterans while featuring the brightest stars. Kim Joo-Sung, Kim Tae-Sol and Yang Dong-Geun are battle scarred. Veteran shooters like Cho Sung-Min and Yoon Ho-Young have honed their shooting over the years. Lee Seung-Jun’s selection also jived with chemistry based on his Wonju teammates in Joo-Sung and Ho-Young.
The brightest young prospects are the dynamic duo of Kyung-Hee’s Kim Jong-Kyu and Kim Min-Koo. Both played major roles in the East Asian qualifiers. Lee Jong-Hyun, despite not playing in the Jones Cup is recovering and will be ready for next month. Kim Sun-Hyung, in his second season is already an established star in the KBL.
Cut were Anyang KGC’s Park Chan-Hee and Seoul SK’s forward Choi Bu-Kyong. Yoo added bigger wing players.
Yang Dong-Geun (Ulsan Mobis Phoebus)
Kim Tae-Sol (Anyang KGC)
Kim Sun-Hyung (Seoul SK Knights)
Kim Min-Koo (Kyung-Hee University)
Moon Seung-Gon (Korea University)
Cho Sung-Min (Busan Sonicboom KT)
Yoon Ho-Young (Wonju Dongbu Promy)
Choi Joon-Young (Yonsei University)
Lee Seung-Jun (Wonju Dongbu Promy)
Kim Joo-Sung (Wonju Dongbu Promy)
Kim Jong-Kyu (Kyung-Hee University)
Lee Jong-Hyun (Korea University)
Sakerland 