KOR – Double blow for Korea with two centers sidelined for Nagoya
SEOUL (FIBA East Asia Championship) - An irregular heartbeat has forced Korea’s Kim Joo-sung to join the national side’s starting center Ha Seung-jin on the sidelines for the FIBA East Asian Tournament, which tips off in seven days. The competition in Nogoya, Japan, is a qualifying event for the FIBA Asia Championship that will be staged in ...
SEOUL (FIBA East Asia Championship) - An irregular heartbeat has forced Korea’s Kim Joo-sung to join the national side’s starting center Ha Seung-jin on the sidelines for the FIBA East Asian Tournament, which tips off in seven days.
The competition in Nogoya, Japan, is a qualifying event for the FIBA Asia Championship that will be staged in China in August.
Ha suffered an ankle injury during the Korean domestic league play-offs and now the national side's interior game has lost Kim, who averaged almost 16 points per game last summer at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens.
“Kim complained of chest pain after a weight training session nine days ago,” Korea coach Hur Jae said in the JoongAng Daily.
"Upon completing a medical checkup at a hospital, the report came back stating Kim has an irregular heartbeat.
"While he is expected to be released from the hospital next week, doctors have ordered Kim to stay away from strenuous activity and therefore it will be very difficult for Kim to participate in the upcoming tournament.”
Korea need a top-two finish in the East Asian event to earn a place in the FIBA Asia Championship.
Japan, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei are also taking part in the FIBA East Asia Championship.
FIBA