Dunking his way to the S. Korean national team: High school hoops star Yeo Jun-seok

해외 진출 바라보는 농구 초신성, '괴물 고등학생' 여준석
South Korean pro basketball has a new prospect for national, and maybe global stardom, in a high school senior.
18 year old Yeo Jun-seok has got training already through the NBA's international recruitment system, and he's on the South Korean national team.
Our Han Seong-woo reports.
He's strong, he's fast and he's big.
"Monster high schooler" Yeo Jun-seok has already been called up to South Korea's national basketball team.
"I couldn't believe my selection at first when my friends told me the news. They started joking around and teasing me, like 'You of all people?'"
The 18-year-old stands 203 centimeters tall with an even longer wingspan.
His standing vertical jump?
A whopping 83 centimeters... higher than the NBA average of 73, enabling him to reach heights of almost three-and-a-half meters after a good run up.
It's no wonder Yeo's go-to move is the slam dunk...
"Dunking's the best. Flashy dunks can change the flow of a game in an instant. They boost my team's morale while discouraging the other team."
Yeo returned early last year from a year of elite training at the NBA Global Academy in Australia, where he improved his perimeter defense.
But he says the key lesson he learned was building a more aggressive mentality.
"Unlike how it is in Korea, trash talking during play was normal there and foreign players openly expressed their frustration when their game felt off."
Rather than playing college ball, many say Yeo should head straight to the Korea Basketball League, or abroad, maybe even to the NBA.
"Playing abroad is number one on my list but if the chance doesn't come, wouldn't it be best I go pro here early?"
For Yeo, though, it's not just about self-development.
Basketball in Korea has lagged behind other sports in popularity for quite some time and the teenager believes the solution is to expand overseas...
"The KBL is one thing but what's really needed for basketball to reach new heights in the country is players taking their talents overseas. It'll spark more interest in the sport."
Yeo Jun-seok has big dreams and perhaps... that's just what Korean basketball needs.
Han Seong-woo, Arirang News.
#SouthKorea #basketball #YeoJunseok
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2021-02-15, 07:00 (KST)

[@BenjiClips614]

Mark my words.. he will make the NBA

[@kathytrancan]

Jeremy Lin was in the NBA too, but his time was cut short. It might happen to him too…

[@BenjiClips614]

@@kathytrancan in a sense, yes but unless you’re a time traveler you must leave your negative thoughts to yourself.. there’s people like me who are super optimistic about everything.. bad thoughts bring you bad luck buddy.. all well

[@gymrat8164]

@@kathytrancan cut short? Jeremy Lin played in the nba for 10 years. Longer than most. Only thing that really held him back was injuries.

[@connorlee1868]

Agreed. He’s way more athletic than any of his Korean counterparts and it showed in the fiba tournament. Only one out there that looked athletic enough and big enough to compete at a high level. I can’t wait to see his game blossom

[@michellenguyen5663]

This kid only have a chance playing at avg internationally league at best. If he was as good as they say, would've got offers in a euro league long ago since pros over sea start at 16 year of age . His best shot was to try to get into a good high-school basketball program in America like Ì.m.g academy then try to get a college scholarship playing ball or drafted to the erup league or g league where he would get more exposure then korea .

[@AlphaDwg]

he was the only one who could compete with the US in the u19 game. Does he have college offers? He should

[@gleshiritv5523]

Good luck..another monster player for team korea..from philippines with love in

[@adamcompean9385]

This young man is now a Gonzaga Zags player, a member of the team practice squad. He will be ready next season. The Zags are really looking good for next season in coming players! Go Zags!

[@bryx170]

This guy should play abroad too and go to NBA, he still has a chance.

[@FIBAEXECUTIVE]

Haha NO WAY can this kid be a 1st or 2nd ound nba pick or even play in the NBA G league that's a maybe how come he hasn't proved he could play d1 and be a starter for a d1 school do you have any idea how many kids come from korea are good enough to play at a d1 basically ZERO HE NEEDS TO STAY IN HIS LANE and just play in the pro league over there

[@jandejo113]

​@@FIBAEXECUTIVE There's already a Korean guy right now in D1 and he's projected to be drafted into the NBA next year. This guy can easily play D1, but a lot of players are playing overseas now instead of going to College so I wouldn't be surprised if he does that. NBA is going to be tough.

[@connorlee1868]

@@FIBAEXECUTIVE Jesus Christ way to expand the game globally. He’s proven on the international stage that he can effectively score against good American competition, even as the only real threat on his team. If you even watched his gameplay in the U19 tournament you would know he can easily score D1. Fluid athlete, good size, good shooting, good handle, and good defense. You need to open your eyes and let the game expand

[@FIBAEXECUTIVE]

@@connorlee1868 stop the BS so if he can play in the NBA you are telling me that right NOW he's good enough to average 15 points a game in let's say EURO LEAGUE? LOL name me one American player he would start over or even land a spot on a team cause there only 2 or 3 spots tops. Name me one player on a active nba team roster he would start or play over meaning name me a 2nd string player he would get playing time over in the NBA the answer is NO ONE. The 19u tournament means NOTHING once in the NBA. How many times have we seen even lottery picks not even become quality starters in the NBA lots of them.

[@user-kf8gb2im6d]

Watched the u19 usa vs korea game and immediately realized he was special. He was the one who excited me most.

[@12thmanzag4life]

Welcome to the PNW and The Zags. Can’t wait to see you play.

[@crayon_logic444]

What a beast

[@vitaminjisoo1439]

he looks rlly *handsome* tbh 😳

[@karenachoi9829]

Junseok has a big potential to be star, cheering for you with love fron your noona in Philippines

[@atingermany2542]

Noticed him after Philipinen Vs Korea game in FIBA Asian Cup Hahaha

[@momohirai3675]

@Master Booo What this guy do 7'4 19 years old fool argument indeed let them meet FIBA Asia cup lmao HAHAHHA

[@bryx170]

Gilas Pilipinas just beat Korea with a buzzer beater yesterday. But nice game Korea.

[@itsme-hb8nl]

Sya ba ung guwapo n nasa bench n pumalakpak nong 41pts ung Korea?

[@bryx170]

@@itsme-hb8nl siguro

[@JWL100]

dude should absolutely leave and try to play overseas if he wants to make it to the nba or euro.

[@kathytrancan]

He might not get drafted for NBA, look what happen to Jeremy Lin

[@larryjones4760]

@@kathytrancan Really then why Watanabe and Hachimura get's drafted?

[@marcel84marcel]

@@kathytrancan Jeremy Lin was a well respected star but his injuries are what did him in.

[@user-jb6tc3ss3u]

2022 may be asian top no.1

[@ghost-cp4sc]

same age as kai sotto from phillipines

[@user-jb6tc3ss3u]

@@ghost-cp4sc He's very tall and fast. I know him

[@genesisolaes5923]

@@user-jb6tc3ss3u 7'3 Kai Sotto will crush him.

[@llenichievzecharnov7229]

But Korea lose today vs Philippines not super hype. But Philippines still undefeated

[@genesisolaes5923]

7'3 Kai Sotto will crush him.

[@lararubio6860]

Does he have insta account?

[@bubuy2116]

jjuns.y__22 (⁎⁍̴̛ᴗ⁍̴̛⁎)

[@snowflakepillow8697]

South Korean team with Yeo Jun-seok did way better against Team USA in FIBA U19 than Japan did with Rui Hachimura. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e17FYX2CbrB2sKc Hope Yeo Jun-seok does well in the NCAA. Also, think the NBA needs to go more international but I'm sure there are backroom deals preventing that like how Ichiro Suzuki wasn't allowed to play in MLB until he was 27 years old.

[@ewingski7631]

Korean chandler parsons.

[@laldinthari2337]

Anyone know his ig 😭

[@bubuy2116]

jjuns.y__22

[@marylouhuelar1025]

Pamukad 101

[@VoiceOfPeak]

yoo

[@glennharveyco]

walang nagawa yan kay Kai Sotto, hahaha..

[@volume_02]

Dinakdakan nga ni Navarro😂, nag dribble pa kase eh di naman pg at yun na dulas ang bola tas na dakdakan😂

[@allanromero1918]

Master boo manood ka sya yung humabol

[@larryjones4760]

@@volume_02 To be fair navarro is a european player and more older than this fellow so he's a lil bit much better

[@FIBAEXECUTIVE]

He's NOT nba player haha lol let him prove him can at least average 10 points a game at a D1 college first, He's basically a stronger version of hyungjun Lee at Davidson, they are not a powerhouse in d1 basketball and that kid struggles against American competition he only averages 13 points a game,how many kids from Asia go to a d1 school every year and average 10 points at least haha NONE or a few if that and honestly yea it's trash but they don't need to play in the NBA because as long as they are stars in the top leagues in Asia, they make good money and great treated well. The nba is PIPE DREAM for any perimeter player from korea they lack the skills and ability to score and shoot well off dribble compared to American player or European player look at how most of them shoot off the dribble look at the point guard play there thus kid will lucky if he could be a starter at a d1 school

[@kwekack4035]

Damn what'd he do to you ? I watched the Korea vs USA U19 game and he stood out the most to be honest. He has a lot of potential I wouldn't count him out.

[@josephstamp837]

I'll give it to u whites and blacks are supreme hoopers but both blacks and whites are terrible rappers. This guy is way more impressive than an American rapper and would dunk on you like it's nothing. But the worst d2 player is heads and shoulders above the most untalented art form of all time which is professional rapping.

[@Tayhurts]

@@josephstamp837 Bro said “better rappers” fast rapper? Just Casue u can rap fast does not mean ur good at it

[@Corn_Agentguy]

If thats how you see basketball then your a terrible dude . It's given that the U.S. is the powerhouse of basketball since it is the birthplace of it but we can't denied the fact that basketball is evolving globally. Look at the last MVP's being selected in NBA for the past 3-5 years the likes if Gianis and Jokich not to mention Luka, Embid and many more. All of them are not Americans but they are better and dominant players now in the entire league. I bet your just insecure that "Asian Countries" are learning the game and loving it. Basketball has no boundaries it is not meant only for 1 country. Your just being "RACIST".

[@itiswhatitis8531]

대두남자들은 걍 농구 포기하는게 날뜻. 걍 키크면 야구 투수나헤. 농구는 약한 노예정신 동양 성양에 안맞아.

[@snowflakepillow8697]

just awful