"Keep challenging endlessly; it's amazing." A single word from NBA veteran Ha Seung-jin moved Lee Hyun-joong... "I want to make my senior, who has walked a path greater than mine, proud" [Incheon Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Keep challenging endlessly. It's so amazing."

Ha Seung-jin's heartfelt encouragement as the first Korean to step onto the NBA stage resonated deeply with Lee Hyun-joong (Portland).

On the 26th, Lee Hyun-joong departed for the United States via Incheon International Airport. He will join Portland's training camp and begin a new competition to secure a spot on the official NBA roster.

That day, Lee Hyun-joong revealed behind-the-scenes stories about his encounter with Ha Seung-jin, an NBA veteran and legend of Korean basketball.

Ha Seung-jin visited the airport to welcome the South Korean Nam Ja-nong-gu (CEO) team upon their return after concluding the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on the 21st. At this event, Ha offered special words of encouragement to Lee Hyun-joong, his "Portland junior" and ace of the national team.

When asked what Ha had said, Lee recalled, "He came out to the airport and simply told me, 'You've worked hard.'"

He continued, "He also said, 'Keep challenging endlessly. It's so amazing.' He showed great respect for me."

These words were bound to be especially meaningful to Lee Hyun-joong.

Ha Seung-jin was the first player in Korean basketball history to step onto the NBA stage. Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2004 NBA Draft, he actually played on NBA courts and opened a new path for Korean basketball.

Coincidentally, Lee Hyun-joong is now following in Ha's footsteps, continuing his NBA challenge in Portland.

Lee said, "My senior has walked an even greater path than mine, so I am truly grateful he spoke those words to me."

He added firmly, "I really want to make him proud one day."

Lee Hyun-joong was the key figure leading South Korean men's basketball to its first gold medal in 12 years at this Asian Games.

South Korea defeated host nation Japan 67-57 in the final to claim the championship. Notably, Lee delivered an overwhelming presence in the crucial final match, recording 27 points and 18 rebounds, including five three-pointers.

Now, attention turns back to the United States.

This summer, Lee Hyun-joong signed an Exhibit 10 contract with Portland. After arriving in the U.S., he will undergo medical tests and other procedures before joining the training camp to begin a fierce competition for survival.

His ultimate goal is clear: to debut in the NBA and consistently perform on the big league stage.

Lee stated, "My goal is to stay in the U.S. for a long time. I have many other goals as well. First, I want to show my true self as much as possible during training camp. Rather than thinking too far ahead, I want to do my best every day and every moment."

Furthermore, he sent a message to those preparing for new challenges like himself.

Lee said, "I hope you don't give up on your challenges because of others' opinions. I've heard many people say 'you can't do it' since long ago. But if you focus on those who dislike you, you won't be able to focus on your own life."

He added firmly, "Even now, even if someone says you can't do it, it doesn't matter. You might not succeed, or you might. But I'm doing this because I want to."

If Ha Seung-jin was the senior who walked the path first for Lee Hyun-joong, then now Lee Hyun-joong is becoming a dream for someone else.

In fact, the South Korean men's 3x3 basketball team, consisting of Gu Min-gyo (Sungkyunkwan University), Kim Seung-woo, Lee Ju-young (both Yonsei University), and Lee Dong-geun (Korea University), named Lee Hyun-joong as their role model after winning the country's first-ever gold medal in this Asian Games.

Gu Min-gyo, Kim Seung-woo, Lee Ju-young, and Lee Dong-geun are all university students preparing for the rookie draft to enter the professional stage.

Upon hearing this news, Lee expressed gratitude: "I'm happy. Those players are excellent athletes themselves, so being respected by fellow players is an honor."

But he immediately delivered an even bigger message to his juniors.

Lee said, "I hope you dream bigger. I don't want you to stop at making me your role model."

He emphasized, "Aim for players who can go beyond their own best efforts and reach even higher places than me."

This meant he hoped they would not limit themselves to him as a boundary.

Lee stated, "I hope you don't restrict yourselves to me. I want you to believe that I can succeed on the world stage too."

He added, "Instead of me being your role model, I hope your own best version and highest potential become your role models."

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*This content was translated by AI.