KOR - Eric Sandrin in Korean roster for East Asia Championship

SEOUL (26th FIBA Asia Championship) - Eric Sandrin edged out brother Daniel Sandrin and Chon Tae-Poong in the race for the lone naturalised player’s spot on the Korean National Team assembled for the East Asia Championship to be held in Nanjing, China in mid-June.

Three teams will qualify from the East Asia Championship to represent the FIBA Asia sub zone in the 26th FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China.

With the offense handicapped by the absence of KBL Finals MVP Ha Seung-jin and seasoned campaigner Kim Joo-Sung, Korea head coach Hur Jae opted to go with Eric Sandrin to shore up his inside play.

Also, the emphasis on the team selection has been on youngsters with KBL Rookie of the Year Park Chan-Hee leading the pack. Oh Se-Keun and Kim Sun-Hyung, who are yet to cut their teeth in the professional ranks too, have made the cut.

“We should have patriotism to compete with other countries. Whoever plays in the game, they have to burn with passion. We lost some good players like Ha and Kim. But we would get younger and play faster. Our goal is getting a ticket to the Olympic 2012 in London,” Hur was quoted as saying in the Korean press.

The 26th FIBA Asia Championship is also a qualifying event for the 2012 London Olympics.

The champion team from Wuhan will qualify directly, while teams placed second and third will qualify for the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament.

Korea 12-man roster for East Asia Championship: Kang Byung-Hyun, Kim Sun-Hyung, Park Chan-Hee , Yang Dong-Geun, Lee Jung-Suk, Cho Sung-Min, Kim Young-Hwan, Yang Hee-Jong, Kim Seung-Won, Kim Jong-Gyu, Oh Se-Keun, Eric Sandrin.

FIBA Asia