"I am grateful for the present moment of running together": Gyeongbok High School's Yoon Ji-hoon shares award honor with his 'twin' brother Yoon Ji-won... "My goal is the NBA, to become Korea's best player" [2026 Futures Star Awards]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Yoon Ji-hoon (18, Kyungbok High School), a top prospect in Korean basketball, shared the joy of receiving an award alongside his twin brother Yoon Ji-won (18).

Yoon Ji-hoon received the Star Award in the basketball category at the "2026 Futures Star Awards" ceremony held on the 26th in the press conference room on the 19th floor of the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. The event was hosted and organized by StarNews, with support from the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, the National Sports Promotion Foundation, the Korea Baseball & Softball Federation, the Korea Basketball Association, the Korea Volleyball Federation, Korea Sports Leisure Co., Ltd., and Palseok Mijin. He also received a prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won.

In particular, on that day, twin brother Yoon Ji-won also won the Star Award, the highest honor in the basketball category. Yoon Ji-won was awarded a prize of 3 million won. The brothers, who had both performed excellently on domestic and international stages, stood side by side on the podium to receive their honors.

Yoon Ji-hoon is a top prospect who dominated the Korean high school basketball scene this year. He not only led Gyeongbok High School to a season quadruple crown but also delivered outstanding performances in international tournaments, proving his worth.

Gyeongbok High School achieved a four-peat this season by winning the 63rd Spring National Middle and High School Basketball League Haenam Tournament, the 51st Association President's Cup National Middle and High School Basketball Yeonggwang Tournament, the 2026 League President's Cup National Middle and High School Basketball Tongyeong Tournament, and the 56th Autumn National Middle and High School Basketball League Sangju Tournament.

The performances of twin brothers Yoon Ji-hoon and Yoon Ji-won shone brightly during this period. In particular, in the final of the Fall Inter-School League held last September, Gyeongbok High School defeated Yongsan High School to claim the championship title. At that time, Yoon Ji-won recorded a double-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Yoon Ji-hoon also contributed to the victory with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.

He also shone on the international stage. Yoon Ji-hoon led Gyeongbok High School to victory at the "NBA Rising Stars Invitational 2026," an event held last June by the National Basketball Association (NBA) for promising high school players from the Asia-Pacific region.

He made his presence felt even while wearing the national team badge. Yoon Ji-hoon competed as a member of the South Korean national team at the 2026 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Under-18 (U-18) Asian Cup, held in India last August.

In particular, in the group stage matchup against Japan, he led Korea's offense with 27 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Yoon Ji-won also contributed with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Led by the performances of the twin brothers, Korea secured a 67-64 comeback victory over Japan.

South Korea advanced to the semifinals of this tournament, securing a spot in the main round of the 2027 FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup. Yoon Ji-hoon was selected for the tournament's Best Five, earning recognition for his outstanding competitiveness on the Asian stage as well.

Yoon Ji-hoon also reflected on this year as a meaningful one. Speaking to StarNews at the awards ceremony, he said, "I think I have experienced almost everything that can be experienced on the high school stage." He added, "Whether it is in the professional league or an overseas league, I strongly want to move up to a higher level as soon as possible to gain new experiences and grow."

He also shared his candid thoughts about his special relationship with his twin brother, Yoon Ji-won. The two players have played basketball together since childhood and, while attending Gyeongbok High School, wore the same uniform to collaborate on numerous championships. However, it remains uncertain whether they will continue to play for the same team after graduating from high school.

Yoon Ji-hoon was well aware of this fact as well. He stated, "I also know that there are not many days left before I will be playing on the same team as Jiwon," adding, "While it is possible that we may play for the same team, whether in the professional league or elsewhere, I believe it is far more likely that we will end up on different teams."

He added, “There may come a day when we face each other as opponents and must try to beat one another,” but continued, “Right now, I’m not thinking about that. I’m grateful for the chance to play together.”

The brothers' mutual trust was equally exceptional. Yoon Ji-won, who received the Star Award on that day, praised his younger brother, saying, "While playing on the same team as Ji-hoon, I have never once thought of myself as the team's ace. I always considered Ji-hoon to be our ace. He seems to play better."

They were brothers who knew each other better than anyone else. This year, in particular, they left unforgettable memories by winning the Gyeongbok High School four-peat and an international tournament championship, followed by both receiving the Futures Star Award.

Yoon Ji-hoon is now looking toward a bigger stage. The performances of Park Jeong-woong (Anyang Jung Kwan Jang) and Eddie Daniel (Seoul SK), who have already advanced to the professional circuit, serve as positive motivation for Yoon. Both players are former winners of the "Star Award."

Yoon Ji-hoon said, "Seeing my older teammates perform well despite having only recently turned professional gives me hope and confidence that I can do the same if I make the jump. I want to experience a lot of competition in an environment where I can keep growing without setting limits on myself," expressing his strong resolve.

The challenge of Lee Hyun-joong, a member of the South Korea national basketball team, also served as a great source of strength for Yoon Ji-hoon. "Watching my senior Lee Hyun-joong gave me hope that Korean players can fully compete in the NBA," Yoon said. "That made me think I needed to work even harder."

He also received direct, special advice from Lee Hyun-joong. Yoon Ji-hoon explained, "Hyun-joong hyung has far more experience on the international stage than we do, so he told us that taking on an overseas challenge would not be easy and offered various pieces of advice."

He also shared a piece of advice that particularly stuck with him. “Even if you fail to achieve your goal, don’t be discouraged; keep challenging yourself until the very end, and eventually you will reach your ultimate goal,” he said, emphasizing the point he was made to understand.

Yoon Ji-hoon’s dream is to enter the NBA. He also has another goal: to become Korea’s best basketball player.

Yoon Ji-hoon stated emphatically, "Going to the NBA is an important goal. It would be great if I could perform well in the NBA as well, but even if I cannot achieve that dream, my goal is to become Korea's best player no matter what."

Yoon Ji-hoon, who has won numerous championships alongside his twin older brother, is now preparing to take on a bigger stage. While the two may one day face each other on the court wearing different uniforms, for now he cherishes the time spent playing with his brother.

Meanwhile, the Futures Star Awards, hosted and organized by StarNews, is an award established to promote the development of Korean sports and the revitalization of amateur athletics. It began in 2022 with baseball as its target sport and is now in its fifth year this year.

This year, a total of 10 promising athletes across seven sports—baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, golf, skateboarding, and artistic gymnastics—were honored with awards.

2026 Futures League Star Awards Ceremony

■ Winners and Prize Recipients (Total: 10 people)

◇ Baseball

Ha Hyun-seung (18, a third-year high school student at Busan High School and a first-round pick by the Kiwoom Heroes): Prize money of 3 million won

Star Award: Lee Ho-min (18, third-year student at Gyeongnam High School, KIA Tigers first-round pick): Prize money of 1 million won and a gift certificate worth 1 million won

◇ Soccer

Shinpyeong High School second-year student An Ju-won (17, Seoul E-Land FC): Prize money of 1 million won and a gift certificate worth 1 million won

Star Award: Jung Hyeon-woong (18, FC Seoul), a third-year student at Osan High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

◇ Basketball

Yun Ji-won (18), a third-year student at Gyeongbok High School: Prize money of 3 million won

Star Award: Yoon Ji-hoon (18), a third-year student at Gyeongbok High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

◇ Volleyball

Son Seo-yeon (16), a first-year student at Seongmyeong Girls' High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

◇ Golf

Star Award: Yang Yoon-seo (18), a third-year student at Incheon Girls' High School Affiliated Broadcasting and Open High School: Prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

◇ Skateboarding

Star Award: Kang Jun-ee (18), a third-year student at Yeongdeungpo High School: prize money of 1 million won and gift certificates worth 1 million won

◇ Gymnastics

Hwang Seo-hyun (18), a third-year student at Incheon High School of Physical Education: 1 million won in prize money and 1 million won in gift certificates

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original