[On-site Interview] Lee Hyun-joong: "San Antonio general manager reached out first; I felt they wanted to test me"

*This content was translated by AI.

Korean national basketball team ace Lee Hyun-joong (26) embarks on his third challenge to join the National Basketball Association (NBA). This summer, Lee will wear the San Antonio Spurs uniform and participate in the Summer League. This marks his third NBA challenge. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, there are numerous positive signs. Drawing on past experiences, Lee stated, "I have become stronger." Unlike previous attempts, San Antonio's interest in him appears to be substantial.

On the 6th, Lee attended the NBA Final Viewing Party held at Seoul Yongsan-gu CGV Yongsan i-Park Mall, where he conducted an interview with reporters. At the event, Lee shared his resolve ahead of the NBA Summer League participation and his changed mindset.

Above all, he learned a great deal from his previous Summer League challenge. Lee said, "My mindset has changed significantly. I have learned and studied extensively on what needs to be done and how to present myself to survive."

He continued, "In a way, I have experienced many failures. Through those failures, I learned a lot and believe I have become mentally tougher and stronger. I have learned many ways to overcome and navigate through those processes."

According to Lee's agency, Epic Sports, several NBA teams expressed interest in Lee, and San Antonio was ultimately selected as his destination. This is his third Summer League challenge. Previously, Lee participated in the NBA Summer League twice but did not receive sufficient playing opportunities. However, this time, San Antonio's interest in Lee is reportedly substantial.

Lee said, "I heard that the San Antonio general manager reached out to me first," adding, "I am also grateful that it is a prestigious team. This time, I felt they were not just saying, 'We'll just put you in,' but rather, 'We want to test you.'"

Coincidentally, San Antonio is competing for the championship against the New York Knicks in the 2025–2026 season finals. When asked about his prediction for the champion, Lee stated, "From a roster perspective, I think San Antonio will win the championship. Of course, I am always dreaming of winning, and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity."

Lee enjoyed his best season. As the ace of Nagasaki Velca in the Japanese B. League during the 2025–2026 season, he led the club to its first-ever unified championship. In 57 regular-season games, he averaged 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, leading the entire league in both three-point shooting percentage (47.9%) and three-pointers made (187).

He was also strong in the playoffs. In the quarterfinals' second game, Lee recorded a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. In the decisive third game of the finals, where the championship was on the line, he contributed 23 points and 5 rebounds, including three three-pointers, leading his team to victory. He secured the B. League Best Five, Asia quota Choi U-su-seon (수상), and the Championship MVP, completely making the Japanese league his own stage.

However, Lee maintained confidence without losing his humility. Even immediately after winning the B. League championship, he began training. He said, "I have gained confidence in how a shooter should approach games. I also know there are still deficiencies in my defense, so I want to show good performance in those areas."

Rather than attaching great significance to participating in the Summer League itself, he viewed it as a process to prove himself again. Lee stated, "Honestly, I have not achieved anything yet. Until I do, nothing matters. I consider it just a process, and there is still a long way to go. I will not try too hard to show off but will be confident and be myself."

The motivation to keep challenging was clear. Lee said, "It is because it is my dream. I am not doing this because someone told me to; it is my dream, which is why I can do this."

He also expressed his sense of responsibility toward Korean basketball. He said, "I want to show that Korean basketball has grown this much. I am extremely grateful to the fans who always support me wherever I go. The reason I can continue to challenge my dreams is thanks to the fans' love. I will work harder in the future to become a player that Korean fans can be proud of."

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*This content was translated by AI.