Key facts
- South Korea beat Japan 67-57 to win the men's basketball gold medal at the Asian Games.
- The team missed its pre-game shootaround on Sunday after its shuttle bus did not arrive.
- Captain Lee Seoung-hyun said the incident brought the team closer and fueled a 'win or die' mentality.
- Ace player Lee Hyun-jung scored a game-high 27 points and 18 rebounds in the final.
- Seong Jeong-a, mother of Lee Hyun-jung and a former national team player, expressed pride in her son's achievement.
- Lee Hyun-jung signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The South Korean men's basketball team secured the Asian Games gold medal by defeating Japan 67-57 on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The victory came after a pre-game bus mix-up that prevented the team from attending their scheduled shootaround. Captain Lee Seoung-hyun described the incident as initially upsetting but ultimately galvanizing, fostering a "win or die" mentality. Instead of their practice, the team took a walk and had coffee, which helped build team chemistry. Ace player Lee Hyun-jung, whose mother Seong Jeong-a is a former national team star, led South Korea with 27 points and 18 rebounds. Head coach Nikolajs Mazurs also found a positive aspect, noting the team enjoyed the walk and good weather. Lee Hyun-jung, who previously played college basketball for Davidson, recently signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers and is expected to join their training camp soon. His mother expressed immense pride in his achievement and his unwavering dedication to the sport, while also worrying about the challenges he may face in the NBA.