The average age 24-year-old men’s basketball team, added to its short training period of just four days and heightened physical strength, won the first game 85-84 in two matches against the Japanese national team, which was considered the strongest ever, and lost the second game 80-88.
It was the process and result of completely dispelling pre-game concerns that they could suffer a crushing defeat by more than 20 points. Lee Jung-hyun, Ha Yoon-ki, Lee Won-seok, and Yoo Ki-sang showed better-than-expected plays. The other eight players also clearly played the role that the coaching staff demanded or had to play.
There were two weaknesses amid better-than-expected performance. It was about experience and height. It was an experience that he displayed in the process of finishing the game with a 20-point lead in the first round. It was a regret, not a regret, that was shown to the national team, which is 24 years old on average. It was an improvement point that could be added to the national team afterwards. The team can select a leader who has not been selected for this year’s national team.
Another factor is height. There was a quality big man named Josh Hawkinson in the Japanese national team, and the Korean team failed to block Hawkinson. Hawkins provided a reason why the Japanese team, which showed below-expectations performance, performed well. Hawkinson naturalized and played as a member of the Japanese national team.
As a result, the recruitment of naturalized players (special naturalization of outstanding talent) is under fire again. The prevailing opinion is that it is necessary. “This is an era of globalization. It is clearly necessary to strengthen international competitiveness. The situation has also emerged centering on Didrick Lawson, who played an active role in the Wonju DB last year following Ra Gun-ah. However, he is at a standstill. Strictly speaking, he has stopped. The reality is that there is no move on special naturalization for any player, whether it is Lawson or Warney. Basketball officials and fans are regretting in unison.
The system recognizes both Korea and its original nationality to foreigners who are evaluated as having the talent to contribute to the national interest. The special naturalization system is more complicated than expected. There are a number of qualifications. It is not easy to challenge on one person’s own. This is also one reason why the Korea Basketball Association, a key player, cannot actively participate in the system.
According to a Yonhap News report dated August 17, 2021, “From 2011 to April 2021, 200 foreigners acquired Korean nationality through the ‘Special Naturalization System for Excellent Human Resources’. The system, which used to be around 10 people every year, was held in 2016 ahead of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, with 19 people wearing the Taegeuk mark through ‘Special Naturalization for Excellent Human Resources’ for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, focusing on vulnerable sports such as ice hockey, biathlon, skiing, and figure skating.” In the basketball world, Ra Gun-ah, Moon Tae-jong, Moon Tae-young, and Kim Han-byeol have played for the Korean national team through this system.
Before this, there are things to look at. This is the reality about foreign nationality players who are already active as basketball players based in Korea. The system should be reorganized so that foreigners can continue to play in Korea as players.
After playing at Kyung Hee University for four years, starting with Lee Sa-seong (24, 210 centimeters) who is currently a basketball instructor, Freddie Mutiba (23, 203 centimeters, center) who is currently playing at Konkuk University, and Jun Harigun (23, 200 centimeters, forward) who is playing at Myeongji University. His skills are not as good as naturalized players as officials and fans think. There is a question mark over whether he will be able to keep his eye on the same level in the future. The possibility is clear.
They definitely feel the charm of Korean basketball and are active in amateurs. Regardless of the beginning, they were active and are active. Even if you don’t use the quite tricky special naturalization system for excellent talent, it is important to prepare an environment in which foreigners like them can play in Korean basketball.
If “Korean Basketball” leaves a case where the soft landing with Korean Basketball, which is their wish, is first reorganized, more strangers will be able to play basketball in Korea. The basketball community desperately needs to expand its base. In the case of Japan, the active naturalization policy has created a boom. I can’t speak for everything, but it is certain that the part where the performance has increased due to the naturalization policy has attracted fans’ attention.
There was some good news. The KBL has given flexibility to its system for overseas or mixed-race players ahead of this season. Players who have played basketball for five years in Korea can participate in the rookie draft, and the KBL has created a condition that they can acquire Korean nationality through naturalization within two years. The system gives flexibility to the policy of not allowing naturalization to transfer.
Lee graduated in 2022. However, he failed to enter the KBL draft. Kyung Hee University coach Kim Hyun-guk, who coached Kim Min-soo (retired) and Kim Cheol-wook (Daegu Korea Gas Corporation), said, “Experience of adopting Kim Cheol-wook. Kim tried to make a Korean nationality by pushing for the adoption of Lee, but failed due to the changing system, and he could no longer continue his dream of becoming a basketball player in Korea.
As for Konkuk University’s Freddie, he can participate in the KBL rookie draft because he meets the requirements. The case is a little complicated. For now, it does not meet the five-year conditions set by the KBL. This is because he entered Korean basketball through Myongji University. Harry Gun’s mother is Korean. Once she recovers her nationality, naturalization is easy. However, it also takes more than a year. He has yet to find a complete answer.
After discussing with several officials, they were also divided. Both sides were divided. There is still a long way to go. However, it seems clear that “Korean basketball” should actively open its doors to foreign players with the keyword of expanding the base before the strict special naturalization system.
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