[Behind the Scenes Interview] Lee Hyun-joong, a once-in-a-generation figure whose character impressed even his coach... Gifts basketball shoes every year, still supports juniors ahead of NBA challenge

*This content was translated by AI.

A once-in-a-generation character that even impressed his coach. Lee Hyun-joong (26), the ace of Korean basketball, visited his alma mater Samil High School to support his juniors, even as he prepares to challenge the National Basketball Association (NBA). His coach from his Samil High School days expressed amazement at his student's character and attitude, saying, "I can't believe there is a player like this."

Jung Seung-won (42), Samil High School coach, shared Lee Hyun-joong's behind-the-scenes story of caring for his juniors with StarNews on the 18th.

Earlier, Samil High School defeated Anyang High School 66-64 in the final of the boys' high school Gyeong Gi-do (CEO) selection tournament for the 107th National Sports Festival held at Hwaseong Comprehensive Sports Town Gymnasium on the 16th. With this victory, Samil High School will participate in the National Sports Festival for the third consecutive year as Gyeong Gi-do (CEO).

It was not an easy victory. Coach Jung Seung-won reflected, "Anyang High School players are good this year," and added, "This game was not easy. Still, in close situations, the players did not give up and played well until the end."

In the stands, seniors were cheering passionately for their juniors from Samil High School. Lee Hyun-joong, who attended Suwon Maesan Elementary School, Samil Middle School, and Samil High School, was among them. This summer, Lee Hyun-joong will challenge the NBA Summer League wearing the uniform of the prestigious San Antonio Spurs. Although he has participated in the Summer League twice before, he did not receive enough playing time, making this challenge even more important for him. With San Antonio showing strong interest, the atmosphere is different. Lee Hyun-joong is knocking on the door of the big leagues with a sense of urgency greater than ever before.

The departure date for the United States to participate in the NBA Summer League is the 25th. However, despite a busy schedule, Lee Hyun-joong visited the Samil High School game in person, showing special love for his juniors. Coach Jung Seung-won said, "Hyun-joong came two days before the game to encourage the players and said he would come to cheer for the final. On the day of the game, he even came early on purpose to support his juniors. Since he is one of the most watched players right now, the players received a lot of strength from him," expressing his gratitude.

Lee Hyun-joong's love for his juniors is not new this time. With the hope that his juniors grow in a better environment, he has been gifting expensive, well-known brand basketball shoes. He has delivered basketball shoes not only to Samil High School but also to his juniors from Suwon Maesan Elementary School and Samil Middle School, where he studied. Coach Jung Seung-won said, "It seems Hyun-joong gives gifts to his juniors almost every year."

Coach Jung Seung-won recognized Lee Hyun-joong's upright character and demeanor early on. He remarked, "His character is unlike that of a young friend," recalling Lee Hyun-joong's high school days.

Lee Hyun-joong is what is known as a "basketball spoon." His mother is Sung Jeong-a, a director of the Korea Basketball Association, who was a key figure in winning the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and a legend in women's professional basketball. His father is Lee Yun-hwan, the head coach of Samil Commercial High School, and he currently serves as the vice president of the Korea High School Basketball Federation.

Coach Jung Seung-won said, "Coach Lee Yun-hwan is also my teacher and a symbolic figure at Samil High School. However, Hyun-joong has never shown any of that," and added, "His character was so excellent that one might wonder if such a player will ever exist again. His attitude toward training and the intensity of his effort were outstanding. He seems to be the top in every aspect among the players I have coached. Although I was a coach, I actually learned from Hyun-joong in some ways," praising him.

Coach Jung Seung-won, who attended Samil High School and Yonsei University, played for Seoul SK during his playing days. He also shared a meal with legends such as Moon Kyung-eun, head coach of Suwon KT; Jeon Hee-cheol, head coach of Seoul SK; and Ju Hee-jeong, a coach at Korea University. Comparing Lee Hyun-joong to the legends he played with, Jung Seung-won said, "Hyun-joong has that same quality." He also expressed support for Hyun-joong's dream challenge, saying, "Ha Seung-jin also made it to the NBA, and I hope Hyun-joong goes too."

On the day of the final, alumni from Samil High School who are active in the basketball field, including Lee Hyun-joong, former basketball player Ha Seung-jin, and Anyang Jeonggwanjang coach Yang Hee-jong, visited to cheer for their juniors. Coach Jung Seung-won said, "It is a great thing that they come to cheer for their alma mater's juniors like this," and added, "It was a really important game for high school players. Since graduates know the meaning of this tournament, they all came with one heart and one mind to give strength to their juniors."

This is also a tradition at Samil High School. Coach Jung Seung-won explained, "Since Hyun-joong has pride in Samil High School, he seems to help his juniors. Hyun-joong also received help from players like Yang Hee-jong and Ha Seung-jin during his high school days. Yang Hee-jong and Ha Seung-jin also received help from Kang Hyuk, head coach of Daegu Korea Gas Corporation, and Kim Sung-cheol, a coach for the Korean national team. Therefore, Hyun-joong naturally thinks it is right to help his alma mater's juniors."

Thanks to this, Samil High School has consistently produced stars and achieved results. Yang Woo-hyuk, known as a "top rookie" who wore the Daegu Korea Gas Corporation uniform last season, is also an alumnus of Samil High School. In his professional debut season, the 2025-2026 regular season, Yang Woo-hyuk played in 35 games, averaging 15 minutes and 17 seconds per game, and contributed with an average of 4.8 points and 1.7 assists.

Last year, Samil High School, led by Yang Woo-hyuk, who was in his third year, overturned all expectations and won the 2025 Korea High School Basketball Weekend League King of Kings Tournament. Coach Jung Seung-won said, "At that time, no one thought we could win. But in the end, we reached the top," and added, "I really want to repeat this this year. We will try until the end," conveying his goal.

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*This content was translated by AI.