▲ South Korean forward Lee Hyun-jung takes a shot during the men's basketball quarterfinals against Jordan at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, on September 16.
The South Korean men's national basketball team has advanced to the Asian Games semifinals for the first time in eight years.
Led by head coach Nikolajs Mazurs, the national team defeated Jordan 114-80 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, today (September 16), securing their spot in the semifinals.
South Korea, which won the Asian Games men's basketball gold medals in 1970, 1982, 2002, and 2014, took home the bronze medal at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games. However, the team suffered a blow to their pride at the 2022 Hangzhou Games held in 2023, where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals and finished in a record-low 7th place.
In the current tournament, South Korea topped Group A by consecutively defeating Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Japan. By overcoming Jordan, the runners-up of the previous tournament, they have reached the semifinals for the first time in eight years and will continue their pursuit of a medal.
The national team will face the winner of the match between Iran and Bahrain, which takes place this afternoon, in the semifinals on September 18.
Team Mazurs reached full strength for the first time since the tournament began.
Forward Choi Jun-yong (KCC), who had been absent during the group stage to pursue opportunities to play in the United States, joined the team the previous day, bringing all 12 players together.
▲ South Korean forward Choi Jun-yong shoots during the men's basketball quarterfinals against Jordan at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, on September 16. (Photo: Yonhap News)
With Choi starting on the bench, South Korea completely seized control from the beginning.
Following the opening score by Moon Jeong-hyun (kt), Lee Hyun-jung scored consecutive points with an outside shot and a paint shot to widen the gap to 7-0. With Lee Jung-hyun (Sono) adding three points from free throws, South Korea pulled ahead 10-0 just about three minutes into the game.
Overall, South Korea overwhelmed Jordan in defensive and rebounding focus. With Yeo Jun-seok (Seattle University)—who had been sidelined due to a foot injury sustained in the first group match—making his return, South Korea finished the first quarter with a commanding 28-8 lead.
Early in the second quarter, an alley-oop dunk by Yeo Jun-seok following a pass from Lee Jung-hyun pushed the score to 33-9. South Korea even brought in Choi Jun-yong midway through the quarter to help him adjust.
Choi successfully sank his first three-point attempt with 5 minutes and 5 seconds remaining in the second quarter, making it 42-15.
▲ South Korean guard Lee Jung-hyun celebrates after successfully making a shot during the men's basketball quarterfinals against Jordan at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, on September 16. (Photo: Yonhap News)
After two outside shots by Lee Jung-hyun extended the lead to 48-16, South Korea wrapped up the first half ahead 51-27.
Jordan briefly narrowed the gap midway through the third quarter as U.S.-born naturalized player Dar Tucker continued to score, but South Korea did not easily allow a comeback as Lee Hyun-jung's shooting touch peaked.
With 1 minute and 52 seconds left in the third quarter, Lee Hyun-jung hit a long-range three-pointer, stretching the lead to 40 points at 84-44.
Entering the fourth quarter with an 85-51 lead after pouring in 34 points solely in the third quarter, South Korea faced a variable when Choi Jun-yong was ejected midway through after receiving a technical foul. However, they successfully completed a landslide victory, scoring over 100 points for the third consecutive game.
Lee Hyun-jung delivered a stellar performance, exploding for 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists—including 6 three-pointers—despite playing only 20 minutes. You Ki-sang (LG) added 16 points, and Lee Jung-hyun contributed 12 points and 6 assists.
Choi Jun-yong logged 10 minutes and 26 seconds with 6 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds, while Yeo Jun-seok finished with 9 points.
All 12 players named to the roster scored for South Korea, which heavily outperformed Jordan with 44 rebounds and 36 assists compared to Jordan's 29 rebounds and 18 assists.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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