'NBA 2 Teams Invite to Mini-Camp' Lee Hyun-jung Heads to U.S. to Challenge for Two-Way Contract... Boston and New Orleans 'Eyeing' Him

*This content was translated by AI.

The challenge of South Korea's national basketball team star Lee Hyun-jung (26) to join the National Basketball Association (NBA) continues.

Sports agency Epic Sports announced on the 9th via a press release that "Player Lee Hyun-jung has received invitations to mini-camps from both the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics," adding that "both teams currently have one two-way contract slot available each, and through this camp, they aim to secure a final spot in the NBA."

Lee Hyun-jung, who departed for the United States on the 6th, is scheduled to participate in the New Orleans Pelicans mini-camp from August 8 to 13, followed by joining the Boston Celtics mini-camp schedule from August 16 to 20.

As a result, Lee Hyun-jung will be unable to attend the South Korea-Japan national team away exhibition matches originally scheduled for August 15 and 16 in Tokyo, Japan. The Korea Basketball Association (KBA) determined that Lee's challenge to join the NBA could be a meaningful opportunity not only for the player but also for strengthening the international competitiveness of Korean basketball, and thus decided to respect his intention to participate in the mini-camp. Both the association and the player's side conducted sufficient prior consultations regarding the national team schedule and coordinated the plan for Lee to rejoin the national team immediately after the conclusion of the mini-camp schedule.

Therefore, Lee Hyun-jung is scheduled to travel to Lebanon on August 20, when the NBA mini-camp schedule concludes, to rejoin the national team. He plans to subsequently contribute to the So Hwa-ha-myeo (CEO) team's goals by participating in the scheduled national team events, including the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers Window 4 and the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

A representative from Epic Sports, Lee Hyun-jung's management company, stated that "both club officials and staff evaluated Player Lee Hyun-jung's Summer League performance very positively," adding, "Given that these are precious opportunities with only a few slots remaining, we believe that if Player Lee Hyun-jung successfully completes both mini-camps, he will definitely make it onto the NBA stage he has long dreamed of."

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*This content was translated by AI.