Korean basketball is looking to achieve a two-game winning streak at home against its 'archrival' Japan.
The men's national basketball team, led by head coach Ahn Jun-ho, will play Japan in a second evaluation match for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup on the 13th at 2:30 p.m. at Anyang Gymnasium.
In the previous first match, Korea came out on top. The national team won the first match held on the 11th, thanks to the performance of overseas forwards Lee Hyun-jung (Illawarra) and Yeo Joon-seok (University of Seattle), winning 91-77.
Lee Hyun-jung accounted for the team's highest score with 25 points, including four three-pointers, while Yeo Joon-seok added 18 points and 6 rebounds, including a dunk in the final moments of the fourth quarter. Domestic players Lee Jung-hyun (Sono) and Yoo Gi-sang (LG) also contributed with 17 points and 19 points, respectively. The national team made 18 three-pointers that day.
Korea aims for a top-four finish at the Asia Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia in August. Japan is focusing on generational change with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in mind. Key players Kawayura Yuki, Yudai Baba, and Tominaga Keisei are participating in the NBA Summer League.
Ahead of the match, the 12-man rosters for both teams have been announced. Korea will field the same 12 players as in the first match, excluding Ha Yun-gi, Lee Woo-seok, and Han Hee-won. Ha Yun-gi is still recovering from a knee condition, and Lee Woo-seok is not at 100% due to the effects of basic military training. Han Hee-won did not gain an advantage over the formidable younger forwards.
The best five selected by head coach Ahn Jun-ho are Lee Hyun-jung, Ahn Young-jun, Lee Jung-hyun, Yeo Joon-seok, and Lee Seung-hyun. This lineup is exactly the same as in the first match. In the previous game, Korea showed a strong performance by leading the first quarter 20-15, so they opted not to make any changes.
On the other hand, Japan has made some changes to its roster. Guard Wakuagawa Hayato and big man Kato Toyoshike have been dropped, while Ibu Yamazaki and Kawamata Koya have joined the team. Teibus Kai, Kanechika Ren, Nakamura Daichi, Josh Hawkinson, and Kawashima Yuto will start on the court. Compared to the first match, the positions of Nishida Yudai and Jacobs Akira have changed.
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