Men's Basketball '12-Year Cycle' Gold Medal: 2002 and 2014 Senior Coaches Say They Were "Chilled to the Bone" [KBL On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Senior figures sent messages of congratulations and encouragement regarding the South Korean men's basketball team's "12-year cycle" Asian Games victory.

The main topic at the "2026~2027 KCC Pro Basketball Opening Media Day & Fan Fest," held on the 29th at Blue Square in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, was also the Asian Games gold medal.

In particular, Moon Kyung-eun (55), head coach of Suwon KT, and Yang Dong-geun (45), head coach of Ulsan Hyundai Mobis, who led the national team to victory as captains at the 2002 Busan and 2014 Incheon Asian Games respectively, attended the event and shared their impressions after watching their juniors' performance.

Head Coach Moon Kyung-eun said, "I cheered a lot this time and was extremely happy." He added, "In 2002, China was an incredibly strong team, but I could see our players coming together. They had the will and fighting spirit, knew well what role they needed to play, and united as one for their goal. I felt the same emotion from the juniors on the Lee Beon (CEO) team."

Head Coach Yang Dong-geun also praised his juniors, saying, "I watched the games in real time, shouting and clapping wildly, cheering as if I were playing myself." He continued, "This time, we were in Japan rather than our own country, and conditions such as lodging and training buses were not good. Yet, as expected, our players were stronger than imagined. Even now, seeing the championship scene gives me chills. The players worked hard."

Two players who swapped spots on the national team roster just before this Asian Games also attended, drawing attention. An Young-jun (31) of Seoul SK, who was originally selected, suffered a finger injury, leading to Moon Jung-hyun (25) of KT joining as a replacement just two days before the tournament began.

In response to questions on this matter, An Young-jun said, "After the semifinal ended, I texted (Moon) Jung-hyun and asked, 'Don't I owe you something?'" Moon Jung-hyun replied, "I am grateful to (An) Young-jun hyung, and I want to buy him something, but since his salary is high..." He added, "I will invite my family to a Galbi restaurant in (home base) Suwon and treat them all to a big meal," creating a heartwarming scene.

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*This content was translated by AI.