Doo and Ratliffe set to debut for Korea at Asian Qualifiers
SEOUL (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Two players are set to make their first appearance for Korea at the Asian Qualifiers this month as they tip off their second window campaign.
SEOUL (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Two players are set to make their first appearance for Korea at the Asian Qualifiers this month as they tip off their second window campaign.
Sharp-shooter Doo Kyung-Min and newly minted naturalized player Ricardo Ratliffe are set to debut for Korea this month as they take on Hong Kong and New Zealand in the second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers. They join a team mainly composed of holdovers from the first window led by veterans Oh SeKeun, Kim JongKyu and Park ChanHee.
| Korea 12-man Roster for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers Second Window | |||
| Choi Jun-Young | Doo Kyung-Min | Heo Hoon | Heo Ung |
| Jeon Jun-Beom | Kim Jong-Kyu | Lee Jong-Hyun | Lee Jung-Hyun |
| Oh Se-Keun | Park Chan-Hee | Ricardo Ratliffe | Yang Hee-Jong |
Ratliffe is undoubtedly the biggest addition to the squad. The 6ft 8in 2.03m slotman has been an import at the Korean Basketball League (KBL) since 2012, winning championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He currently plays for the Seoul Samsung Thunders, averaging 24.4 points, 14.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Ratliffe will turn 28 right before the second window begins, and he is projected to be a game-changer for the Koreans, who are looking to sweep their second round assignments to strengthen their position heading into the second round of the Asian Qualifiers later this year. Ratliffe will form a ultra deadly frontline foursome with SeKeun, JongKyu and shot-blocking wizard Lee JongHyun.
Doo, meanwhile, is considered the top three-point shooter in the current KBL season. He plays for Wonju DB Promy, averaging 17.1 points, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.9 three points per contest. He last played for the national team at the EABA Championship 2017, but he has never seen action at any Asia Cup or Asian Qualifiers match.
Usual suspects Kim SunHyung and Lee SeungHyun were left off the final roster due to distinct injuries. SunHyung is still hampered by an ankle fracture, while SeungHyun is recovering from his knee injury.
Korea will first tangle with Hong Kong on 23 February before hosting their rematch with New Zealand on 26 February. Both games will be played at the Jamsil Arena in Seoul, which is the homecourt of the Seoul Samsung Thunders.
FIBA