There is a reason that Yeo Jun-seok (23, University of Washington), who returned to Korea after 3 years, must win.
The men's basketball team, led by head coach Ahn Jun-ho, will face off against its rival Japan in a friendly match at Anyang Gymnasium at 7 p.m. on the 11th. Korea will have a second match against Japan on the 13th.
It’s a rivalry match that they shouldn’t lose, even in rock-paper-scissors. However, the situation is different. Korea is gearing up for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in August. Placed in Group A along with Qatar, Australia, and Lebanon, Korea needs to deliver results right away.
Japan has a bit of leeway. Instead of focusing on the imminent Asia Cup, they are targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and are undergoing a generational change. Key players like Yuki Kawamura, Yudai Baba, and Keisei Tominaga are challenging themselves in the NBA Summer League. The players visiting Korea this time also include many newcomers.
A prominent player is Yuto Kawashima (20, University of Washington), who is a teammate of Yeo Jun-seok. He is a graduate of the prestigious Ohori High School, which was coached by Lee Sang-beom at Hana Bank. Similar to Yeo Jun-seok, who participated in the NBA Global Academy, Kawashima, despite being a freshman in the U.S., could not compete last season as a redshirt. Standing at 206cm, he is competing in the same position as Yeo Jun-seok as a forward.
He is tall and has precise shooting as his strengths. He recorded a shooting percentage of 48%, a three-point shooting percentage of 52%, and a free throw percentage of 85% at the NBA Academy. Yeo Jun-seok will have to compete with Kawashima at school anyway. He must make a strong impression in their first meeting.
Yeo Jun-seok noted, "I had the opportunity to meet new players in Seattle. I received congratulations for making the national team. I talked with Kawashima Yuto, who was selected for the Japan national team, about doing well together. I felt that the coach is giving me a lot of roles. I think I will get more playing time this season."
Head coach Ahn Jun-ho of the men's basketball team said, "The reality is that Korean basketball is smaller in height. We need to overcome the board advantage. Lee Hyun-jung and Yeo Jun-seok must blend into the team to create synergy and enhance team competitiveness. The effort of these two players will have a significant impact on the other players," highlighting Yeo Jun-seok as a key player.
Standing at 202cm with impressive athleticism, Yeo Jun-seok has been seen in the U.S. 2-3 times but needs to be seen 4 times on the national team. Due to Kim Jong-kyu and Ha Yoon-ki's poor condition, Yeo Jun-seok needs to play more.
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