Who is that player dunking?
The NH Nonghyup Bank 2025 KXO 3x3 Hongcheon Light Quest was held on the 11th at the Tori Forest City Forest Park special court in Hongcheon County, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. After 12 teams were divided into four groups for the preliminary rounds, eight teams advanced to the tournament to compete for the championship.
There was a player of unique background on the Korean representative Hongcheon team. He is Adrian Claiborne Jr. from the United States. He was the only foreign player affiliated with the Korean team, capturing the public's attention immediately.
Claiborne Jr. made a strong impression by scoring with a dunk from the first game against Widerrecht (Netherlands). The dynamic Claiborne Jr. showcased a block shot, filling the height gap of the Korean team.
Thanks to Claiborne Jr.’s active performance both inside and outside, Hongcheon fiercely chased back to 11-12 towards the end of the game. However, Hongcheon couldn't overcome the last hurdle and crumbled, losing 15-20 in the first match.
Claiborne Jr. said, "I am happy to participate in the tournament as a member of the Hongcheon team. I enjoy competing with players from various cultures."
Why did an American player join the Korean team? He explained, "I came from California, USA. I played 5-on-5 basketball at UC Berkeley for a year. I came to Korea as a teacher, and when I saw an announcement looking for 3x3 players, I applied. I've been with Hongcheon for four months now. I am still teaching students."
With Claiborne Jr. joining, Hongcheon's strength has significantly increased. He noted, "Korean players are smaller than foreign players but are smart. Since I joined, I’ve been able to fill the gaps, and we are creating harmony together."
Who is his role model? He answered, "I like Shaun Livingston. He is a very good player. His mid-range game is excellent. Among the stars nowadays, Giannis is my favorite player," giving a thumbs up.
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