[Anchor]
South Korean men's basketball ace Lee Hyun-jung has rejoined the national team after wrapping up his stint in the NBA Summer League. Returning with enhanced skills, he expressed his determination to lead the squad through the World Cup qualifiers and the September Nagoya Asian Games.
Reporter Jeon Yeongmin has the story.
[Reporter]
After leading the Nagasaki Velca to an integrated championship in the Japanese professional basketball league last season and pursuing his dream of entering the NBA through the Summer League, Lee Hyun-jung has injected new energy into the national team upon joining the Jincheon National Training Center.
He thrilled head coach Madzulis and his teammates by consecutively sinking crisp three-pointers.
[Lee Hyun-jung / National Basketball Team Guard: I went (to the NBA Summer League) for my dream, so there were tough moments, but it was also enjoyable. I think this is an opportunity to show how much I've grown in the national team, and I am very excited right now.]
He remained tight-lipped about his future plans, including the possibility of advancing to the NBA, which has been a matter of intense interest among fans.
[Lee Hyun-jung / National Basketball Team Guard: I understand that my agent is handling everything regarding contracts. When you think about things too much, things that should work out often don't. Right now, I am going all-in on the national team.]
While Lee was participating in the Summer League, the national team found themselves pushed to the brink during the first round of the World Cup qualifiers before securing a dramatic victory over Japan to advance to the second round.
Returning with a heavier sense of responsibility, Lee has set a goal to "win them all," including two consecutive World Cup qualifying matches against Lebanon and the Nagoya Asian Games in September.
[Lee Hyun-jung / National Basketball Team Guard: (The goal for the Nagoya Asian Games) is naturally winning the championship. It doesn't matter how many points I score; the goal is to win the title, and I just want to win every single game.]
The national team will test its strength through two friendly matches against Japan in Tokyo on Liberation Day (August 15) and August 16.
[Fighting!]
(Photo courtesy of Yoo Dong-hyeok | Video by Hwang Ji-young | Graphics by Hwang Se-yeon)
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