*This content was translated by AI.
Modi Maor (41), the head coach who had been closely watching Lee Hyun-jung (26) for a long time and achieved a thrilling championship together in Japan, is leaving Nagasaki Velca (Japan).
The Nagasaki club announced the split from Coach Maor via its official website and SNS on the 6th. The next destination has already been decided. Nagasaki stated, "Coach Maor's contract has expired, leading to our parting. Additionally, Coach Maor will be appointed as an assistant coach at the University of Michigan in the U.S. NCAA to pursue a new challenge."
Coach Maor, born in the U.S. and raised in Israel, built his coaching career on the Israeli stage before taking the helm at Nagasaki in 2024. In his second season, the 2025-2026 campaign, he led Nagasaki to its first-ever B.League championship. With a relatively short history, Nagasaki reached the top division after five seasons in the Japanese professional league, progressing through the third and second divisions, and finally reached the summit. Maor received high praise for his leadership, including winning the Coach of the Year award.
This season, Nagasaki recorded 47 wins and 13 losses in the regular season, finishing first overall. In the playoffs, after defeating Alvark Tokyo and Chiba Jets, they defeated the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the finals to complete the club's first-ever championship.
Coach Maor also left a farewell message through the club. He said, "I don't think there is a more appropriate phrase than 'We are Nagasaki' to describe the past two years. Our unity was the driving force behind the achievements we have made so far. Leading this team to realize the club's goals was the greatest honor of my career. I am leaving with great pride."
He continued, "I am grateful to the Nagasaki fans who accepted and supported me despite our different cultures and backgrounds. From the day I first arrived here, it felt like my home. I will never forget this kindness. Nagasaki changed my life. My family will always cherish the time we spent in Nagasaki, wherever we go," offering a heartfelt farewell.
Coach Maor also shares a special bond with Lee Hyun-jung, the ace of the South Korean national basketball team. From 2019 to 2022, Coach Maor served as a coach for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australia-New Zealand Professional Basketball League (NBL), and from 2022 to 2024, he was the head coach of the same team. Lee Hyun-jung played for the Illawarra Hawks in 2023. Although the two were on different teams at the time, it is known that Coach Maor began closely watching Lee's skills and potential from then on. After taking the helm at Nagasaki, Coach Maor actively pushed for Lee's recruitment, and eventually, Lee donned the Nagasaki uniform last year, allowing the two to share the same rice bowl.
Ultimately, that choice was a great success. Within Coach Maor's tactics, Lee Hyun-jung fully showcased his strength in perimeter shooting. In the 2025-2026 B.League regular season, Lee averaged 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists across 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 led his team to victory with 23 points and 5 rebounds, including three three-pointers. Thanks to this, Lee Hyun-jung secured a spot in the B.League Best Five, the Asia Quota Choi U-su-seon (수상), and the Championship MVP, completely making the Japanese league his own stage.
Sung Jeong-a, Lee Hyun-jung's mother and a legend of South Korean women's basketball, as well as an executive at the Korea Basketball Association, directly conveyed the special bond between Coach Maor and Lee Hyun-jung. Executive Sung stated, "Coach Maor watched Hyun-jung very closely since his days in Australia and strongly requested his recruitment. Because of Coach Maor's trust, Hyun-jung performed well, and Coach Maor was very satisfied with Hyun-jung," and explained, "Coach Maor referred to Hyun-jung as 'his most impressive student.'"
After winning the championship with Nagasaki, Lee Hyun-jung embarks on his third challenge to enter the National Basketball Association (NBA). He will participate in the NBA Summer League wearing the uniform of the prestigious San Antonio Spurs. This is his third attempt. Previously, Lee participated in the NBA Summer League twice but did not receive sufficient playing time. However, he did not give up. After experiencing championships in Australia and Japan, he issued another challenge this summer.
Compared to his previous attempts, the atmosphere appears much more positive. Most notably, it is reported that San Antonio's interest has been significant. Lee also said at the NBA Finals Viewing Party held at Seoul Yongsan-gu CGV Yongsan i-Park Mall on the 6th, "I heard that the San Antonio general manager contacted me first," and added, "I am also grateful that it is a prestigious team. This time, I felt much more like 'we want to test you' rather than 'we'll just let you in.'"
According to Lee's agency, Epic Sports, several NBA teams showed interest in Lee Hyun-jung, and among them, San Antonio was ultimately chosen as his destination. Lee said, "I am always dreaming of the dreams of all players, including myself. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity."
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*This content was translated by AI.
