Lee Jong-hyun (basketball)

Lee Jong-hyun (born February 5, 1994) is a South Korean professional basketball player for the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters of the Korean Basketball League (KBL).

Lee Jong-hyun
No. 32 – Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
PositionCenter
LeagueKBL
Personal information
Born (1994-02-05) February 5, 1994
Seoul, South Korea
NationalitySouth Korean
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolKyungbock
CollegeKorea University
KBL draft2016: 1st round, 1st overall pick
Playing career2016–present
Career history
2016–2020Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
2020–2023Goyang Orion Orions / Goyang Day One Jumpers
2023Jeonju KCC Egis
2023–presentAnyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  South Korea
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place2014 IncheonTeam
EABA Championship
Silver medal – second place2017 Nagano
FIBA Asia Cup
Bronze medal – third place2013 Philippines
Bronze medal – third place2017 Beirut
William Jones Cup
Silver medal – second place2016 Taipei

Early years

Lee started playing basketball in elementary school under the influence of his father, a former basketball player with Busan Kia Enterprise (which is now Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus). He was schoolmates with Moon Seong-gon and Choi Jun-yong at Kyungbock High School and they were dubbed the "Kyungbock Trio" by rival high school teams for their well-rounded offensive capabilities.[1][2]

College career

Lee would join Moon, a year his senior, at Korea University while Choi went to rivals Yonsei University. At that time, his teammates also included Kang Sang-jae and Lee Seoung-hyun and they were mostly competing against a Kim Jong-kyu and Kim Min-goo-inspired Kyung Hee University in the U-League.[3] During his freshman year, he played a pivotal role in Korea University winning the MBC Cup for the first time in seventeen years and was named MVP of the tournament.[4]

He declared as a prospect in the 2015 NBA draft on April 22, 2015. As an early entrant in the 2015 NBA draft, he went undrafted. He returned to Korea University to continue his college career. During his junior year, he and Kang Sang-jae, dubbed "Twin Towers" because of their height, led Korea University to a surprise win over a Sangmu team composed of experienced KBL players fulfilling their mandatory military service.[5]

Professional career

Lee was considered one of the "big 3", along with Kang and Choi Jun-yong, of the 2016 KBL rookie draft and strong contenders for the first pick of the first round.[6][7] He was drafted first overall by Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus. After an underwhelming start to his rookie season, he scored 24 points and 18 rebounds in January against Changwon LG Sakers.[8]

Throughout 2018 Lee struggled with injury. In February he ruptured his Achilles tendon which effectively ended his season. He spent the off-season in rehabilitation and recovered in time for the 2018–19 season.[9] However, he fractured his left patella in a December game. He was ruled out of the rest of the season as it required surgery.[10]

In November 2020, Lee was traded to Goyang Orion Orions for Choi Jin-soo in a player swap.[11][12]

National team career

Lee was first called up to the senior national team while in college, participating in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.[13] He participated at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup[14] and the Asian Games that same year. The South Koreans won gold for the first time since 2002, which meant that Lee and his teammates who had yet to enlist for mandatory military service were granted exemptions.[15] He missed out on the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup due to his injury.

References
  1. "[BK Star Search] 경복고등학교 문성곤" (in Korean). BasketKorea.com. 26 May 2011.
  2. "문성곤·최준용, 거짓말 같은 태극마크". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 17 July 2013.
  3. "이종현·강상재·문성곤 등, 대학생 태극전사 활약 주목". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). August 13, 2015.
  4. "[2013 MBC배] '17년'의 설움, 이제야 털어내다" (in Korean). BasketKorea.com. March 8, 2013.
  5. "고려대 '트윈 타워' 이종현·강상재, 상무 눌렀다". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 20 August 2015.
  6. "KBL 신인 드래프트...'빅3' 이종현·최준용·강상재 "내가 최고 되겠다"". Seoul Shinmun (in Korean). 18 October 2016.
  7. "[KBL 신인드래프트] 황금 세대 '빅3'가 뜬다". Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). 18 October 2016.
  8. "'24점 18리바운드' 이종현 대폭발…모비스, LG 제압" (in Korean). KBS. January 27, 2017.
  9. "독하게 재활, 8kg 빼고 돌아온 이종현". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). September 21, 2018.
  10. "현대모비스 이종현, 무릎뼈 골절로 '시즌 아웃' 위기" (in Korean). SBS. December 31, 2018.
  11. "오리온과 모비스, 최진수와 이종현 '빅딜'". The Hankyoreh (in Korean). November 11, 2020.
  12. "프로농구 최진수, 현대모비스로 트레이드…이종현은 오리온 이적(종합)". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). November 11, 2020.
  13. "'벌떼군단' 韓 농구, 대학생 김민구-이종현까지 '펄펄'" (in Korean). JTBC. August 7, 2013.
  14. "FIBA profile". fiba.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  15. "'병역면제' 종규·종현 가치, 20억원 넘는다". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). October 5, 2014.
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