[Yongsan Field] "Lee Hyun-joong, your next stage is the NBA" — Japanese teammate also sent sincere support... The third challenge everyone is anticipating and hoping for

*This content was translated by AI.

This is a challenge that everyone is anticipating and hoping for. Lee Hyun-joong (26), the ace of the South Korean national basketball team, is embarking on his third attempt to join the National Basketball Association (NBA). Baba Yudai (31), a "Japanese teammate" who led Nagasaki Velca to its inaugural Japan B.League championship alongside Lee Hyun-joong last season, also sent sincere support.

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

This is his third attempt. Previously, Lee Hyun-joong participated in the NBA Summer League twice but failed to secure sufficient playing time. However, he did not give up. After experiencing championships in Australia and Japan, he issued another challenge this summer. He is set to wear the San Antonio Spurs uniform. According to Lee Hyun-joong's agency, Epic Sports, several NBA teams showed interest in him, and among them, San Antonio was ultimately chosen as his final destination.

Most notably, it was reported that San Antonio showed considerable interest in Lee Hyun-joong. Lee Hyun-joong also said, "I heard that the San Antonio general manager contacted me first," and added, "I am grateful that it is a prestigious team. This time, I felt more like they said, 'We want to test you,' rather than just 'We'll just put you in.'"

He continued, "I am always dreaming, not only for myself but for all players. I am so grateful for this opportunity."

Although he is heading to the United States with excitement, the challenge is not entirely easy. This is due to the two previous Summer League failures he experienced. However, Lee Hyun-joong turned these into stepping stones for growth.

Lee Hyun-joong said, "My mindset has changed significantly. I have learned and studied a lot about how to do things and how to show myself to survive." He added, "In a way, I have experienced many failures. But through those failures, I learned a lot and believe I have become mentally stronger and more resilient. I have learned a lot about how to overcome and navigate through those processes."

Baba Yudai, who played a one-two punch in Nagasaki, also gave Lee Hyun-joong courage. Baba Yudai, a member of the Japanese national basketball team, is a top player in Japanese basketball who has experienced three B.League championships. Last season, he led the offense alongside Lee Hyun-joong in both the regular season and playoffs, helping Nagasaki secure its inaugural B.League championship.

At the time, the Japanese media outlet Basketball King highlighted, "The Korean and Japanese aces led Nagasaki to their first championship. Baba Yudai won the Finals MVP, and Lee Hyun-joong won the Playoff MVP."

Lee Hyun-joong said, "Baba Yudai always told me, 'The next step is the NBA,'" and expressed gratitude, adding, "He gave me a lot of confidence. That part was really good."

Support from South Korean basketball fans is also a great source of strength. Lee Hyun-joong said, "I am so grateful to the fans who always support me wherever I go. The reason I can continue to challenge my dreams is thanks to the love of the fans." He added, "I will work harder in the future to become a player that Korean fans can be proud of." He also stated, "I want to show that South Korean basketball has grown this much."

Lee Hyun-joong gained confidence thanks to his overwhelming performance in Japan last season. In the 2025–2026 Japan B.League regular season, Lee Hyun-joong recorded an average of 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 57 games. He ranked first overall in the league in both three-point shooting percentage (47.9%) and three-pointers made (187).

He was also strong in the playoffs. Especially in the third game of the finals, where the championship was on the line, he recorded 23 points and 5 rebounds, including three three-pointers, leading his team to victory. Thanks to this, Lee Hyun-joong secured a spot in the B.League Best Five, the Asia Quota Choi U-su-seon (수상), and the Championship MVP. He has completely made the Japanese league his own stage.

However, Lee Hyun-joong has not lost his humble attitude. Even immediately after winning the B.League championship, he started training right away. He said, "I have gained confidence in how to approach games as a shooter. Also, I know there are still deficiencies in my defensive aspects, so I want to show good performance in those areas."

He also viewed participation in the Summer League not as a major achievement in itself, but as a process to prove himself again. Lee Hyun-joong said, "Honestly, I have not achieved anything yet. Until I achieve something, it is nothing. I just think of it as one process, and there is still a long way to go." He added, "I will not just try to show off too much; I will be confident and act as myself."

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*This content was translated by AI.