South Korea wins NBA prospect tournament for the second consecutive year! 'Star Award' winner Yoon Ji-won also takes MVP... Gyeongbok High defeats Japan to claim 'Rising Stars' title

*This content was translated by AI.

Korean basketball has reached the summit of the NBA prospect tournament for the second consecutive year, following last year's success.

Coached by Im Sung-in, Gyeongbok High defeated Japan's Tottori Johoku High 82-72 in the final of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational held at the OCBC Arena in Singapore on the 28th (Korea time), securing the championship.

With this victory, South Korea has climbed to the top of the NBA Rising Stars for two consecutive years, making its presence felt on the Asia-Pacific stage. Last year, Yongsan High, led by Eddie Daniel, who now plays for the Seoul SK of the professional basketball league, defeated the affiliated high school of Tsinghua University in China in the final to become the inaugural champion. It was a precious victory that overcame the height disadvantage.

This year's protagonist was Gyeongbok High. Already a three-time champion in domestic tournaments, Gyeongbok High continued its strong momentum at the NBA Rising Stars.

Earlier, Coach Im Sung-in told StarNews, "It will be a valuable experience for the players. The players are also looking forward to competing in such a special tournament." He added, "From the school's perspective, participating in the Rising Stars is an honor. Of course, since Yongsan High achieved good results in the first tournament last year, there is also a sense of pressure. It is a tournament approached with both anticipation and pressure."

Regarding the tournament goal, he emphasized, "If given the chance, winning would be ideal. However, the process is also important." The Gyeongbok High team achieved not only the growth and experience Coach Im desired but also the ultimate result of winning the championship.

On the day, Gyeongbok High trailed by two points in the first quarter but regained control from the second quarter by demonstrating focus. They maintained their lead and subdued the Japanese powerhouse Tottori Johoku High. Notable figures such as NBA champion Jeremy Lin, Mitch Richmond, and WNBA champion Lauren Jackson attended the final to watch Gyeongbok High's performance.

The NBA Rising Stars Invitational is a youth basketball tournament organized by the NBA to allow high school prospect teams from the Asia-Pacific region to compete and exchange skills on the international stage. A total of 24 high school teams (boys and girls) under 18 years old participated in this tournament. In the boys' division, Gyeongbok High competed alongside Japan's Tottori Johoku High, Taiwan's Tsinghua University Affiliated High School, Philippines' FEU Diliman High School, and Thailand's Assumption College Thonburi.

The MVP, awarded to the player who delivered the best performance in the final, went to Gyeongbok High's ace Yoon Ji-won. In the final, he recorded an impressive 36 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Furthermore, Yoon Ji-won led his team to victory with an average of 22.7 points and 7.5 rebounds throughout the tournament. Yoon Ji-hoon, the twin brother of Yoon Ji-won and part of Gyeongbok High's powerful duo, also delivered a brilliant performance. Yoon Ji-hoon averaged 24.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.0 assists, significantly contributing to Gyeongbok High's championship. Both Yoon Ji-won and Yoon Ji-hoon were named to the NBA Rising Stars Best Five.

Notably, Yoon Ji-won is a prospect who won the 'Miracle Star Award' at the '2025 Futures Star Awards,' established last year by StarNews to promote the development of Korean sports and the revitalization of amateur athletics. At the same awards ceremony, Eddie Daniel received the Star Award, given to the top player across basketball, soccer, and volleyball.

At that time, the Basketball Division Selection Committee, consisting of Kim Hwa-soon, Vice President of the Korea Basketball Association; Sung Jeong-a, Director of the Korea Basketball Association; Lee Ho-geun, Coach of Dongguk University; Ahn Deok-soo, Director of the Korea Basketball Association and Secretary-General of the Korean Women's Basketball League; and Shin Seok, Director of the Korea High School Basketball Federation, evaluated Yoon Ji-won as follows: "Since entering high school, his body has become more agile, and his basketball skills have improved. Although he is a year younger, he has grown into a player capable of competing with Daniel. While Daniel is known for his power, Yoon Ji-won is a well-rounded player with greater future potential. If Yongsan High has Daniel, Gyeongbok High has Yoon Ji-won."

Through NBA Asia, Yoon Ji-won shared his thoughts: "I worked hard to maintain my focus until the end while preparing for the tournament. It was very meaningful to win the championship with my teammates and receive the final MVP. The awards ceremony was the most memorable moment."

Meanwhile, the girls' division title was won by Japan's Seika Girls' High School. Seika Girls' High School delivered a dominant performance against Taiwan's Yangming High School in the final, winning 106-59 and lifting the championship trophy.

In Korea, Gwangju Suifa Girls' High School, a prestigious women's basketball team, participated in this tournament. Suifa Girls' High School recorded one win and one loss in the preliminary round but unfortunately failed to advance to the tournament.

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*This content was translated by AI.