Basketball ace Lee Hyun-joong's fierce determination... “Pushes me to the limit”

(Suwon = Yonhap News) Reporter Ahn Hong-seok = "Yes, this is 'extreme' again. I will always give 100% and 150% in this Asian Games."

'Excuse' is a word that Korean basketball's 'ace' Lee Hyun-joong often uses in the joint coverage area (mixed zone) or at press conferences.

He always holds himself to harsh standards, and even when reporters ask him why his team won or explain why he performed poorly, he always mentions 'his own underperformance.'

Regardless of whether he wins or loses, he points out what he lacked in that day's game and pledges to get better.

When I talk about something I was lacking, I also explain why, but even then, I end my answer by emphatically saying, “Well, in the end, these are all excuses.”

Reporters who see Lee Hyeon-joong, who always talks in a 'single-legged game' attitude with no room to escape, often forget that he is still a young man of 25 years old.

Even after the friendly match against the Philippines on the 6th, the last time the Korean men's basketball team played before the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Lee Hyun-joong's language was the same.

He cited “shortened shooting” as something he needs to fix until the first group match against Saudi Arabia, which is four days away, and said, “Actually, this is all an excuse.”

When asked, ‘Isn’t it difficult to live if you accept everything as if it’s a situation with no way out?’ Lee Hyeon-joong grinned.

He said, "It's difficult. But actually, living abroad is difficult. If you can make an excuse, you can make an excuse. The Filipino players who came here can also make an excuse (for losing). If you look for excuses, you can rely on those excuses and not pursue your dreams while making excuses."

He said, "The fact that I didn't get a chance in the (NBA) Summer League is just an excuse. If I had done well, I would have played there. So I'm trying to maintain a more calm attitude."

Lee Hyun-joong also said, "You may receive sympathy and comfort and say, 'It's okay, it's okay.' But if you do this, your heart will eventually become difficult. So, I decided not to make excuses and push myself to the limit. This may be hard on the body, but it is easier mentally."

In four days, I will participate in my first Asian Games. If you win the gold medal, you will not only have the honor of winning the first Korean basketball championship in 12 years, but you will also receive military service benefits. This is a very important competition for Lee Hyun-joong, who continues his ‘infinite challenge’ towards the overseas stage.

Lee Hyun-joong said emphatically, “I am ready to give my all to win the game unconditionally.”

Not only juniors, but also seniors like ‘Captain’ Lee Seung-hyeon (Hyundai Mobis) and Jang Jae-seok (KCC) rely on him a lot.

Lee Hyun-joong said, "I am grateful that my captain believes in me even though I am still lacking a lot. I will follow with the same dedication as my always dedicated brothers. I will play for my teammates rather than for my personal records, and when I get a chance, I will throw confidently and try to win."