Lee Hyun-jung Scores 28 as S. Korea Rout Jordan to Reach Men's Basketball Semifinals for First Time in 8 Years

The South Korean men's basketball national team has advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Games 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 held at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, today (September 16), securing their spot in the semifinals.

Having previously won gold medals in men's basketball at the 1970, 1982, 2002, and 2014 Asian Games, South Korea suffered a blow to its pride following a bronze medal at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games and an elimination in the quarterfinals at the 2022 Hangzhou Games held in 2023, finishing in 7th place, their lowest ranking ever.

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 advanced to the semifinals after eight years and will continue their pursuit of a medal.

The national team will face the winner of the Iran-Bahrain match, which takes place this afternoon, in the semifinals on September 18.

Team Mazurs reached its full roster for the first time since the start of the tournament today.

Forward Choi Jun-yong (KCC), who had been absent during the group stage due to his pursuit of advancing to the United States, joined the team the previous day, bringing all 12 players together.

With Choi Jun-yong starting on the bench, South Korea completely seized control from the beginning.

Following the opening score by Mun Jung-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 Jeong-hyeon (Sono) adding three free throws, South Korea pulled away to 10-0 just about three minutes into the game.

Overall, South Korea overwhelmed Jordan in defense and rebounding concentration. With Yeo Jun-seok (Seattle University)—who had been unable to play since suffering a foot injury in the first group stage match—returning to action, South Korea finished the first quarter with a commanding 28-8 lead.

Early in the second quarter, Yeo Jun-seok scored an alley-oop dunk following a pass from Lee Jeong-hyeon, pulling the score to 33-9. South Korea then brought in Choi Jun-yong midway through the quarter to help him adjust.

Choi Jun-yong sank his first 3-point attempt with 5 minutes and 5 seconds remaining in the second quarter, making it 42-15.

After two outside shots by Lee Jeong-hyeon extended the massive lead to 48-16, South Korea wrapped up the first half ahead 51-27.

Jordan briefly tried to narrow the deficit midway through the third quarter as U.S.-born naturalized player Dar Tucker continued to score, but South Korea did not allow an easy chase as Lee Hyun-jung's shooting touch heated up.

With 1 minute and 52 seconds left in the third quarter, Lee Hyun-jung hit a long-range 3-pointer, stretching the lead to a whopping 40 points at 84-44.

Entering the fourth quarter with 85-51 after pouring in 34 points in the third quarter alone, South Korea completed a landslide victory scoring over 100 points for the third consecutive game, despite a variable of Choi Jun-yong being ejected after receiving a technical foul in the middle of the quarter.

Lee Hyun-jung put on a stellar performance, exploding for 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists including 6 3-pointers despite playing only 20 minutes. Yoo Gi-sang (LG) added 16 points, and Lee Jeong-hyeon 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, heavily outperforming Jordan with 44 rebounds and 36 assists compared to Jordan's 29 rebounds and 18 assists.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.