GOYANG (Korea) - Long after the final buzzer at Goyang Gymnasium, Lee Hyunjung was still on the court practicing three-pointers, according to those who lingered at the venue.
"It's always a big honor to represent my country. It’s one of the biggest achievements of my life."
Obviously, there's a sense of frustration. Lee missed 8 consecutive three-pointers to start the game against Indonesia, only connecting on his first well deep into the final quarter. He'd miss two more to end the game 1-11 from downtown.
And he knows well that his struggle was a key factor in Korea needing to sweat out a late come-from-behind win over Indonesia.
"It was my fault," he told reporters at the mixed zone.
"I wasn't prepared,” he said, adding, ”I'm disappointed in myself for not showing my best performance.”
"I think I had a bad influence on the team. I should have shot confidently and boldly, but my shots affected my other plays," he said and followed with an apology.
"I thought I prepared myself well, but it was just my fault."
The 24-year-old did not have the best game, finishing with 12 points on 4-15 shooting, but he did come up in the clutch with 7 points in the fourth quarter - most scored during the defining 11-0 stretch that took the lead back for good.
In the end, Korea were able to get the win over Indonesia which was the important task at hand. Still, the fact that Lee took his subpar so personally displays just how much this means for him.
"It's always a big honor to represent my country," Lee had said before the window. "It’s one of the biggest achievements of my life."
"When I play with the flag on my chest, I feel responsible and proud of myself and it’s fun, especially when I'm able to play in my hometown, it’s such a special moment for me."
Lee really means it, too. The 2.00M (6'7") forward has always been ready to represent when available, and puts in his best effort when he does suit up. He's been doing this for just under a decade and will more than likely do it for another decade - or two.
"Representing the country is always pride," Lee said in a post-game press conference in the Australian NBL where he plays professionally. The team really wanted me and I couldn’t say no. My dream is to play with the Korean flag on, so it’s a big honor."
Lee first represented the country playing at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2015 in Jakarta where he averaged 14.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, being the key part of a team that won the nation's first-ever title in the competition.
He'd then play at the U17 World Cup in 2016 and exploded onto the scene with an dominating performance at the U18 Asia Cup in 2018 where he led all players in scoring (26.0 points per game), assists (6.0 assists per game), and steals (3.3 steals per game) while also being among the top 5 in rebounding (10.3 per game).
He made his senior national team debut after playing collegiate basketball in the USA with Davidson and, once again, immediately commanded attention. At the Asia Cup Qualifiers in 2021, he averaged 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in his debut competition and immediately went to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Lithuania where he shined again, scoring 14.5 points per game.
But since then, the timing and opportunities have not aligned for Lee to play for the national team - until now. He's been busy anyways, having played in the G League, Japan's B.League, and the NBL where he is currently in his second season with the Illawarra Hawks.
Whether it's coincidence or just perfect timing, Lee's return to play for the senior national team comes in a window where he will play against Australia - the national team of the country which he calls his "second home".
"I’ve been [in Australia] since I was in the NBA Global Academy and now back in the NBL," said Lee about the Land Down Under. "Met a lot of great guys, great basketball players out there.
"It's going to be fun, three of my teammates are going to be there so it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be amazing."
Lee's trio of NBL teammates are Boomers' mainstay Sam Froling and debutants Will 'Davo' Hickey and Lachlan Olbrich. All three scored 6 points each in the first game of the window against Thailand.
"Those three are really great players. There’s a reason why they’re on the national team. Firstly, I'm proud of them to be able to represent their country and we’re so close."
"I talk [with them some] Korean words which you cannot say in public," Lee said with a grin. "We’re going to trash talk a bit, but not seriously! We’re going to have fun competing against each other."
No matter how much fun Lee will be having going up against his pro teammates, it's all business. As it always is with Lee when he plays for Korea.
"I'm trying to be a vocal leader so I can put the whole team together," said Lee. "Obviously, my goal is to play well but my first goal is to get a win, so I’m really focused on how to get a win as a team first. Then when I’m focused on that, the second achievement [playing individually well] will follow just naturally, so I’m going to focus on that."
"Having fun, cheering for my teammates, but staying focused and locked in."
FIBA