Moon Tae-Jong joins national team training camp

Changwon LG Sakers star and the 2013-14 Most Valuable Player of the Korean Basketball League, Moon Tae-Jong (Jarod Stevenson) will be joining the national team’s training camp in Jincheon. Moon was originally a member of this year’s 24 man pool but was cut prior to training camp as the national team was expecting Aaron Haynes be naturalized. The ruling by the Olympic Council of Asia has denied Korea a new naturalized player to help their campaign for the Asian Games gold in Incheon later this year. Moon Tae-Jong at 39 years of age has represented Korea in 2011 during the FIBA Asia championship for men held in Wuhan China. Korea wound up finishing third after the tournament champions, China and Jordan as runner-ups. In 2012 and 2013, Moon was figured in the national training camp, but was excluded from the final roster due to his age.

“I have suggested Moon Tae-Jong’s reinstatement for the national team after the Olympic Committee’s ruling for our intended naturalized player,” said head coach Yoo Jae-Hak. “He should be able to join us in a week.”

 

Moon Tae-Jong will rejoin the national team after the national selection committee have accepted Yoo Jae-Hak’s recommendation. “As I have said earlier, players that were excluded from training camp can still be called back,” Among the possible reinstatement for the training camp is Lee Seung-Jun (Eric Sandrin) as another naturalized Korean to reinforce the team. Lee is currently in Korea for training after rehabbing in the United States last month. Other names reportedly being eyed by Korea is Korea University’s swingman, Moon Seong-Gon, Anyang KGC’s Park Chan-Hee and Jeonju KCC’s Ha Seung-Jin who will wrap up his mandatory armed forces / public service early next month.

 

The current active national training pool are below:

Kim Min-Goo (Jeonju KCC Egis)

Kim Sun-Hyung (Seoul SK Knights)

Kim Tae-Sol (Anyang KGC)

Yang Dong-Geun (Ulsan Mobis Phoebus)

Lee Dae-Sung (Ulsan Mobis Phoebus)

Cho Sung-Min (Busan Sonicboom KT)

Kim Joo-Sung (Wonju Dongbu Promy)

Moon Tae-Jong (LG Sakers)

Yoon Ho-Young (Wonju Dongbu Promy)

Lee Seung-Hyun (Korea University)

Choi Joon-Young (Yonsei University)

Choi Jin-Soo (Goyang Orions)

Kim Jong-Kyu (LG Sakers)

Lee Jong-Hyun (Korea University)

Oh Se-Keun (Anyang KGC)

Jang Jae-Seok (Goyang Orions)

Korean national team training camp roster unveiled

­­National team head coach Yoo Jae-Hak and the national selection committee has mutually agreed to trim down the 24 man player pool into a 15 man roster prior to training camp. “Having all 24 players attend training camp is inefficient. As early as training camp, we would like to determine the core of the national team and build cohesion amongst the players” Said Yoo Jae-Hak, in explaining the decision.

 

The 8 players that were excluded heading into training camp are the following:

Kim Si-Rae (Changwon LG Sakers)

Park Chan-Hee (Anyang KGC)

Jeong Young-Sam (Incheon ET Land)

Moon Seung-Gon (Korea University)

Yang Hee-Jong (Anyang KGC)

Heo Il-Young (Goyang Orions)

Moon Tae-Jong (Changwon LG Sakers)

Choi Buk-Young (Seoul SK Knights)

Following the excluded players list, Yoo Jae-Hak named the 15 players that are to attend training camp:

Kim Min-Goo (Jeonju KCC Egis)

Kim Sun-Hyung (Seoul SK Knights)

Kim Tae-Sol (Anyang KGC)

Yang Dong-Geun (Ulsan Mobis Phoebus)

Lee Dae-Sung (Ulsan Mobis Phoebus)

Cho Sung-Min (Busan Sonicboom KT)

Kim Joo-Sung (Wonju Dongbu Promy)

Yoon Ho-Young (Wonju Dongbu Promy)

Lee Seung-Hyun (Korea University)

Choi Joon-Young (Yonsei University)

Choi Jin-Soo (Goyang Orions)

Kim Jong-Kyu (LG Sakers)

Lee Jong-Hyun (Korea University)

Oh Se-Keun (Anyang KGC)

Jang Jae-Seok (Goyang Orions)

 

The national team enters the first phase of training camp dated in May 15, 2014 to be held in the national athletes training center, Jincheon. Entering camp, the national team is without a naturalized player as Moon Tae-Jong (Jarod Stevenson) was excluded.

In the case of Ha Seung-Jin who was not excluded from training camp, but is not yet to attend the camp, the federation has secured an early release in June instead of July. “We can expect him (Seung-Jin) to join us when training moves overseas.” Said Yoo Jae-Hak.

Among Korea’s preparations in June are three practice matches with the Lee Dae-Sung’s alumni, Brigham Young University-Hawaii basketball team dated June 26, 28 and July 1. Two games  in June 27 and June 30 against Japan’s national basketball team, who are also preparing for the Asian games this year. In July, the national team will travel to New Zealand to face its national team that is also bound for the world cup. First three games will be in New Zealand dated July 15 in Wellington, July 17  in  Tauranga and July 19 in Auckland. Then the scene shifts to Korea in which the teams will play two more practice matches in July 29 and 31.

Come August, Korea has lined up several practice matches in Spain against other national teams but details are yet to be announced.

As for the exclusions from training camp, the national team doors have not shut entirely. “Depending on injuries, performance or other factors, the players excluded can still be called up for the national team.” Yoo Jae-Hak said. “They are still welcome to train in our intended facilities as a group or as individuals. We are preparing the best national team for the world cup and the Asian games.” Yoo Jae-Hak added.

It can be noted that Yonsei’s Choi Joon-Young and Korea University’s Moon Seung-Gon were cut from training camp in last year’s preparations, just days before the team departed for Taiwan to play in the Jones Cup. After that tourney, Choi and Moon made the roster for the FIBA Asian tournament in Manila.