*This content was translated by AI.
The Korea Basketball Association announced on the 14th the finalized list of 16 players selected for training ahead of 'Window 3' of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers, scheduled for July.
The roster includes key players from Busan KCC Egis, the KBL champions of the previous season. Leading the team's strength are 'the conductor of the court' Heo Hoon, along with Choi Jun-yong, Song Kyo-chang, and Jang Jae-seok. Meanwhile, KCC's main scorer Heo Woong was excluded from this training roster, resulting in mixed reactions.
Elite overseas players also join the squad. Yeo Jun-seok from the University of Seattle in the United States and Lee Hyun-joong, who plays for Nagasaki Velca in Japan's B.League, have been called up to bolster the national team's height and firepower. Additionally, top-tier league players such as Lee Jung-hyun (Sono), Ahn Young-jun (SK), and Yu Gi-sang (LG) were summoned again, along with Eddie Daniel (SK), a 'Star Award' winner who showed promise during 'Window 2' held in March.
For the national team, this Window 3 is a do-or-die match. After securing two consecutive victories against China in Window 1 held in 2025, the team suffered back-to-back away losses to Japan and Taiwan in Window 2, leaving them in a precarious position. Consequently, the upcoming home double-header against Taiwan on July 3 and Japan on the 6th is expected to be a decisive match for securing advancement to Round 2.
The 16 training candidates will report on June 1 and spend approximately one month focusing on team cohesion. Head coach Nikolajs Mazuls plans to finalize the 12th-player roster through technical meetings held one day before each game following intensified training.
All games will be held at Goyang Sono Arena in Gyeonggi Province. The team will face Taiwan at 7:30 p.m. on the 3rd and Japan at 7:30 p.m. on the 6th.
▲ 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers Window 3 National Team Training Candidates (16 players)
- Guards: Lee Jung-hyun (Sono), Moon Yu-hyun, Byun Jun-hyeong (both Jeonggwanjang), Heo Hoon (KCC), Yu Gi-sang (LG), Lee Woo-seok (Republic of Korea Army)
- Forwards: Lee Hyun-joong (Nagasaki Velca), Ahn Young-jun, Eddie Daniel (both SK), Yeo Jun-seok (University of Seattle), Song Kyo-chang, Choi Jun-yong (both KCC)
- Centers: Lee Seung-hyun (Hyundai Mobis), Lee Du-won (KT), Lee Won-seok (Samsung), Jang Jae-seok (KCC).
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*This content was translated by AI.
