GOYANG (Korea) - Junyong Choi had not played for the Korean national team since the FIBA Asia Cup in 2022.
Choi is a competitor. That's the most important thing
In his return to represent the Taegukgi in a FIBA competition once again in this Asian Qualifiers window, he rose to the occasion and proved to be a hero on home soil in a nailbiting 81-79 win against Japan.
The victory clinched Korea (3-3) the very last spot to the Second Round of the Qualifiers, barely edging out Chinese Taipei (2-4) who would have held the tiebreaker in the standings.
Korea might not have been able to do it - coming back from down by as many as 9 points in this game - if it wasn't for trusted veteran who scored all of his 16 points in the second half of the competition.
Korea held their own 9-point lead with under 6 minues left in the game before Japan rallied to within a single point, 80-79, after Josh Hawkinson's free-throw split with 5 seconds to go. Lee Woosuk then came up big with a rebound, drawing a foul and splitting from the line to peg the final score. Japan had one last chance to steal the game but missed a triple as time ran out.
Choi, of course, had been one of Korea's key players throughout the 2010s, representing the national team in four Asia Cups while also being on their squad in their latest World Cup appearance in 2019. He once again proved his worth by stepping up, not only in the points column but also by putting up 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
"First of all, Choi is a competitor. That's the most important thing," said Korea head coach Nikolajs Mazurs.
"The biggest thing about him is that he's passionate about basketball. He is ready to sacrifice even after coming from the season finals with injury. He is an experienced player who knows how to read the situation. He makes great passes, draws fouls and changes the game a lot."
Junyoung Choi with the Senior National Team
Of course, it was not a solo effort by the 31-year-old. Lee made big shots down the stretch as well on his way to 19 points while also grabbing 7 boards and 3 steals.
That said, Korea's qualification was not just about its veterans. If there was one other reason for optimism heading into the Second Round, it was the continued emergence of prized teenager Daniel Edi.
The 19-year-old only made his senior national team debut early in Window 2 of the Qualifiers, and while he has been solid - he really took another step up in what was a massively important game.
Daniel Edi in World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers
Game(s) | Min | PTS | EFF |
10 | 2 | 8 | |
19 | 4 | 4 | |
7 | 4 | 6 | |
17 | 9 | 14 |
The young energetic forward not only notched his FIBA-career high of 9 points (2-2 shooting from the field and a perfect 5-5 from the free-throw line), but grabbed a whopping 5 steals - one of which translated into a thunderous dunk in transition.
In a game with so much at stake, Edi repeatedly made crucial plays - forcing turnovers, drawing fouls and bringing an infectious energy that galvanized the Korean side. His grit, composure and all-around impact made him one of the defining figures in the victory that sent Korea to the next phase.
"I think it's great," coach Mazurs said about how Edi played in this game. "That's his role for this team. He did that with full energy and passion. He fights... Great guy."
Choi Junyong delivered the veteran poise Korea desperately needed, while Daniel Edi offered a glimpse of a bright future. Together, they proved instrumental in one of the country's most important wins of the Asian Qualifiers, and Korea will need more of that leadership and youthful energy in the Second Round.
Group F
The top three teams from Group B and Group D will form Group F in the Second Round, carrying over all results from the First Round.
Group B |
|
|---|---|
Qualified | Japan, China, Korea |
In contention |
|
Eliminated | Chinese Taipei |
Group D |
|
|---|---|
Qualified | Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon |
In contention |
|
Eliminated | India |
FIBA