Korea have history against them in quest for first U16 women's title
SEOUL (FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship 2017) - Korea have struggled mightily against Japan and China at the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship in the past. Will they be able to overcome them in India.
SEOUL (FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship 2017) - Korea face some major history against them as they prepare for the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship 2017 with the hopes of winning their first title.
Korea will be looking to match the men's feat from 2015 when they won their first ever FIBA U16 Asian Championship.
The Korean men celebrate winning their first-ever FIBA U16 Asian Championship in 2015. The Korean women aim to match the feat in India.
The Korean women finished in the top three in each of the last three competitions, but they have gathered a combined 1-11 record against rivals Japan and China over the four editions of the event. The only win came over China, 79-78 in the 2011 Semi-Finals before losing to Japan in the Final.
And the losses really haven't been close, losing by an average of 36.7 points. Only two of them have been by fewer than 17 points - both against Japan.
Korea will not have to worry about Japan and China right away in Bengaluru, where Cho Mun Ju's team has been drawn into Group A with Australia, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei. China and Japan are in Group B with Thailand and Hong Kong. But the minimum goal will be the Semi-Finals as the top four teams will qualify for the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018.
Korea have been to the last three FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cups, but the quest for one of the four tickets will be tougher this time around since Asia now includes the top two teams from Oceania - Australia and New Zealand.
| Korea's roster for the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship 2017 | |||
| Choi Mihyeon | Choi Minju | Eom Seoi | Heo Yeeun |
| Jeon Heekyo | Jung Yerim | Ko Nayeon | Lee Dayeon |
| Lee Haeran | Lim Kyuli | Na Geumbi | Park Seongeun |
Cho has called on four bottom level players for his 12-player roster with Choi Minju, Jeon Heekyo, Lee Haeran and Lim Kyuli all being born in 2003.
Korea's team is not overly short or tall, but Cho will be able to do things defensively with six players between 5ft 9in (1.75m) and 5ft 11in (1.79m).
Watch all of Korea's games at FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship 2017 LIVE on FIBA's YouTube Channel.
FIBA