SHENZHEN (China) - For decades, Korea stood as a towering force in Asian women’s basketball—racking up 12 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup titles and setting the standard across the region. Recent years, however, have brought turbulence. In 2023, Korea suffered a historic setback: for the first time in tournament history, they failed to reach the semifinals, finishing with a 2–3 record and landing outside the top four.
Now, as the 2025 edition approaches, Korea is at a crossroads. With some familiar faces back in the fold, but without longtime captain Kim DanBi, the road ahead is full of both questions and opportunity. Can Korea rediscover their identity and return to the top tier of Asian hoops?
1. Rebounding from a historic low
Falling short of the top four in 2023 was uncharted territory for Korea.This was a team synonymous with consistency at the Women's Asia Cup. That fifth-place finish wasn’t just a loss on paper; it was a symbolic stumble for a proud basketball program. Restoring belief and rhythm after that kind of disappointment is never easy, especially with rising programs like New Zealand and even the Philippines closing the gap.
Sure, Korea showed flashes of promise with a runner-up finish at the recent 2025 William Jones Cup. However, the Women’s Asia Cup stage is a different level. They’ll need a sharper start, stronger cohesion, and unwavering focus to prove 2023 was the exception and not the new norm.
2. Filling the leadership void left by Kim DanBi
For years, Kim DanBi was the emotional and tactical anchor of this Korean squad. Her presence as captain went beyond the box score. With her no longer in the mix, the question is: who takes the reins?
The good news is that Korea still has a strong returning core, led by Shin JiHyun, Park JiSu, Park JiHyun, Kang LeeSeul, Lee HaeRan, and An HeJi. Among them, LeeSeul and JiHyun stood out at the recent Jones Cup, both earning First Team honors. Of course, leadership isn’t just about talent. It’s about composure in crunch time, rallying the team in tough stretches, and setting the tone from within. Someone in this group must step up, not just as a scorer or defender, but as Korea’s new guiding voice.
3. Keeping pace with Asia’s evolving landscape
Once dominant, Korea now finds itself in an ultra-competitive field that’s shifting fast. China and Japan continue to set the bar, while Australia are determined to finally finish on top. In the 2025 William Jones Cup, Korea fell to a younger Japanese squad. It was a stark reminder that depth, development, and system continuity are now more crucial than ever.
Korea’s traditional fundamentals — shooting, spacing, and smart ball movement — remain their strengths. However, adaptation will be key. Head coach Park SooHo must blend veteran savvy with youthful energy and refine Korea’s identity to thrive in today’s faster, more physical game.
Korea’s legacy is undisputed, but legacies don’t win games. With pressure mounting and the region evolving, Korea must rise not just to regain their stature, but to redefine their future.
FIBA