Japanese basketball champion Lee Hyun-jung eyes NBA dream
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Lee Hyun-jung, who led Nagasaki Velca to the Japanese professional basketball championship, aims for the NBA.
- Nagasaki Velca secured the league title in their fifth year of existence after defeating the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the finals.
- Lee was the top scorer in the decisive Game 3, contributing significantly to his team's victory.
Lee Hyun-jung, the star player who propelled Nagasaki Velca to the pinnacle of Japanese professional basketball, has set his sights on the ultimate goal: the NBA. His ambition comes after a remarkable season where Nagasaki Velca clinched the championship title.
The team achieved this historic victory in just their fifth year since establishment. They secured the B.League championship by defeating the Ryukyu Golden Kings 72-64 in the third game of the finals series, held at the Yokohama Arena on May 26th. Lee Hyun-jung was instrumental in this final triumph, leading all scorers with 23 points in the decisive Game 3.
Having conquered the Japanese league, Lee's focus now shifts to the demanding world of the NBA. His performance throughout the season and particularly in the finals demonstrates his capability and determination to compete at the highest international level. The championship win marks a significant milestone for Nagasaki Velca and a stepping stone for Lee's burgeoning career.
I want to go to the NBA even more.
Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.