Double celebration for Korean basketball! U-18 women also bound for the World Cup, joining Australia and New Zealand to make history as the first country with both men's and women's teams on the world stage... Im Yeon-seo explodes for 23 points + crucial rebound, earning praise from FIBA

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Double good news has arrived for Korean basketball. The under-18 (U-18) Yeo Ja (CEO) team is also heading to the world stage. Following the Nam Ja (CEO) team's securing of a World Cup berth, the Yeo Ja (CEO) team has also clinched its ticket.

The Korean U-18 Yeo Ja-nong-gu (CEO) team, led by head coach Lee Young-hyun, defeated Taiwan 67-64 in the semifinal qualifier at the 2026 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U-18 Women's Asia Cup held on the 8th at the Srumban Charisma Arena in Malaysia.

Korea, which recorded two wins and one loss in the group stage to finish second in Group A, advanced to the semifinals by overcoming Taiwan.

Along with advancing to the semifinals, Korea also secured a berth in the 2027 FIBA U-19 Women's World Cup. The tournament will be held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, next July.

With host nation China automatically securing its qualification, Korea confirmed its spot at the world championship by reaching the semifinals of this U-18 Asia Cup.

At the heart of Korea's victory was ace Im Yeon-seo (Gwangju Sophia Girls' High School · designated by Busan BNK).

Im Yeon-seo starred with a game-high 23 points and 9 rebounds. She also recorded 2 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks, demonstrating a strong presence on both offense and defense.

She stepped up as the go-to scorer in the closing moments of the game.

Korea led by as many as 14 points early in the fourth quarter but faced a fierce comeback from Taiwan. With 1 minute and 48 seconds remaining, the gap had narrowed to just 3 points.

Im Yeon-seo's performance shone in the crisis. FIBA highlighted, "Korea weathered the storm by leveraging its defense and crucial offensive rebounds. In particular, key forward Im Yeon-seo secured a vital offensive rebound."

It further noted, "As Taiwan failed to attempt a shot within the shot clock, Korea barely held on to secure the victory."

FIBA also took note of Im Yeon-seo's clutch instincts. The organization highly praised her, stating, "Im Yeon-seo shouldered the scoring responsibility in crucial moments late in the game, once again fulfilling her role as the team's go-to player."

It was not just Im Yeon-seo. Jo Hee-won (Sunil Girls' High School · designated by Incheon Shinhan Bank) scored 17 points, and Lee So-hee (Sookmyung Girls' High School · designated by Yongin Samsung Life) added 11 points.

Kim Dam-hee (Gwangju Sophia Girls' High School) also solidly guarded the paint with 9 points and 18 rebounds. Following her 19-rebound performance in the tournament's opening game against New Zealand, she once again displayed dominant rebounding ability.

This achievement is not just a joy for Korean women's basketball alone.

Previously, the Korean U-18 Nam Ja (CEO) team also advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 FIBA U-18 Asia Cup held last August, securing a berth in the main round of the 2027 FIBA U-19 Men's World Cup.

At that time, Korea reached the semifinals for the first time in four years since the 2022 tournament and finished the event in fourth place.

On the Nam Ja (CEO) team, Yoon Ji-hoon (Gyeongbok High School) starred as the ace. Yoon Ji-hoon averaged 18.8 points and 6.8 assists at the tournament, leading his team in both scoring and assists. Recognizing his performance, FIBA named him to the "All-Star Five," the best five players selected after the tournament concluded.

With the Nam Ja (CEO) team followed by the Yeo Ja (CEO) team confirming their World Cup berths, Korean youth basketball has written a meaningful chapter in history.

Since Australia and New Zealand joined the Asian stage, this is the first time that Korea's men's and women's U-18 national teams have secured U-19 World Cup berths in the same year.

The challenge of the U-18 Yeo Ja (CEO) team, which has achieved its first goal toward the world stage, is not yet over.

Korea will face Japan on the 9th for a spot in the final. Against Japan, who recorded three straight wins in Group B of this tournament, Korea aims not only for the World Cup ticket but also for the Asian championship.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original