KOR - Yoo trims roster for training camp

SEOUL (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The team Korea will take to the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain is beginning to crystalize with coach Yoo Jae-Hak trimming his preliminary squad ahead of the team's first training camp next week.

The coach will begin putting national team hopefuls through their paces at the national athletes training center in Jincheon on 15 May.

"Having all 24 players attend training camp is inefficient," Yoo said.

"As early as training camp, we would like to determine the core of the national team and build cohesion among the players."

Kim Si-Rae, Park Chan-Hee, Jeong Young-Sam, Moon Seung-Gon, Yang Hee-Jong, Heo Il-Young, Moon Tae-Jong and Choi Buk-Young were deemed surplus to requirements.

The exclusion of Moon (aka Jarod Stevenson) means there will not be a naturalized player.

Giant center Ha Seung-Jin has commitments and won't be available to join the squad until June.

The players to have been discarded will remain on standby, according to Yoo.

"Depending on injuries, performance or other factors, the players excluded can still be called up for the national team," Yoo said.

"They are still welcome to train in our intended facilities as a group or as individuals. We are preparing the best national team for the World Cup and the Asian Games."

Korea will have home and away friendlies with New Zealand in their World Cup preparations, and they also expect to line-up warm-up games in Spain against other national teams ahead of the World Cup.

Yoo's squad will compete in Group D against Angola, Lithuania, Mexico, Slovenia and Australia.

Korea squad for Jincheon training camp: Kim Min-Goo, Kim Sun-Hyung, Kim Tae-Sol, Yang Dong-Geun, Lee Dae-Sung, Cho Sung-Min, Kim Joo-Sung, Yoon Ho-Young, Lee Seung-Hyun, Choi Joon-Young, Choi Jin-Soo, Kim Jong-Kyu, Lee Jong-Hyun, Oh Se-Keun and Jang Jae-Seok.

FIBA