Heo Hoon stands out in Korea's final World Cup roster

SEOUL (Korea) - The Korea Basketball Association announced a veteran-laden final roster for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, but one name that certainly stands out is that of young gun Heo Hoon.

Heo, the son of bemedaled former national team player and former national team head coach Hur Jae, first saw action at the senior level in 2016, and his recent performances in Korea's tune-up matches has apparently gotten him the nod to clinch a World Cup roster spot.

"It is not always an easy time to be on the national team, but has tested my heart helped me learn a lot from my brothers on the team," he said. "It means a lot to me to finally go on the big stage of the World Cup. I would like to show my talents and play my role to the best of my skills."

At just 24 years old and being the only player born in 1995, Heo will be the youngest on Korea's World Cup team, but that should serve him well as he's projected to be among the country's basketball pillars in the foreseeable future.

Despite his relative inexperience, he has accounted well for himself, especially at the recently concluded William Jones Cup 2019 in Chinese Taipei, where Heo averaged an impressive 11.0 points, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game for head coach Kim SangShik.

"I am lucky that the motion offense that coach Sang-shik pursues is actually familiar to me," Heo explained. "During my playing years at Yonsei University we used that system for three years, and I was able to make good use of my previous experience."

 
When Korea plunge into action in China, Heo will definitely be among coach SangShik's go-to guards, though he will also have to contend with more seasoned backcourt players like Kim SunHyung, Lee DaeSung and Park ChanHee. SunHyung and ChanHee are veterans of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 in Spain, together with other holdovers like big man Kim JongKyu and the oldest player in this current squad, Yang HeeJong.

The presence of these players is something Heo relishes because he knows they will push him to grow and play at his highest level.

"Competition is indispensable in the national team," he said. "In fact, I expect it. I've had experience working with high level players in the youth team, but this time we will all play against very strong opponents like Russia, Argentina and Nigeria. I see this as an opportunity to try and push our limits. It will not be easy, but we will take advantage of our opportunities."

 
Rounding out the roster are World Cup first-timers Choi JunYong, Jeong HyoGeun, Kang SangJae, Lee JungHyun, Lee SeoungHyun and naturalized player Ra GunA.

Korea will tip off their World Cup journey opposite Argentina on August 31. This will be followed by their match against Russia on September 2 and then their contest with Nigeria on September 4. All of their group games will be at the Wuhan Sports Center in Hubei province.

FIBA