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New coach drafts rookies hoping to dunk on Japan in Independence holiday game

Published: 26 Feb. 2026, 14:05 Updated: 27 Feb. 2026, 12:57

Goyang Sono Skygunners center Kang Ji-hoon, left, poses for photos with Seoul SK Knights power forward Daniel Edi at Jamsil Students' Gymnasium in southern Seoul. [SEOUL SK KNIGHTS]

The Korean men’s basketball team enters a critical stretch of FIBA World Cup qualifying this week, with new head coach Nikolajs Mazurs leading the squad for the first time and two young rookies Daniel Edi and Kang Ji-hoon set to make their senior national team debuts.

Korea, ranked 56th in the FIBA rankings, was due to face No. 68 Chinese Taipei in Taipei on Thursday evening as of press time in the third game of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers in Group B. The team will then travel to Okinawa to take on No. 22 Japan on Sunday.

Korea opened the qualifiers with two straight wins over China in November last year under interim coach Chun Hee-chul, marking the country's first consecutive wins over China in 13 years. If Korea also beats both Chinese Taipei and Japan, it will top the standings in Group B.

The two upcoming games follow Mazurs’ appointment last month as the first foreign head coach in the history of the Korean men’s national team, with the new boss opting to bring in younger players instead of veterans.

The coach selected power forward Edi of the Seoul SK Knights, 18, and center Kang of the Goyang Sono Skygunners, 22, who had never played for the senior national team.

Mazurs said he values their passion, energy and relentless motor, adding that the two displayed qualities he had not seen in other players.

Nikolajs Mazurs, Korean men's basketball team head coach, speaks during a press conference at the Olympic Hall in southern Seoul on Feb. 4. [NEWS1]

“We want to win the Japan game no matter what,” Edi said during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo earlier this month at Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium in southern Seoul. “It is on March 1, too, so we have to win.”

March 1, known as Independence Movement holiday, marks the 1919 uprising against Japanese colonial rule (1910-45). It is a national holiday that holds deep meaning for many Koreans. Facing Japan on that day adds extra significance to the game.

Edi recalled facing Japan once at the youth level and earning MVP honors in a victory.

“I will focus on defense and bringing energy to the team,” he said. “But I also imagine myself dunking it every night in the Korea-Japan match.”

Kang, meanwhile, expressed confidence in adapting to any role.

“Both Daniel and I have played a lot of minutes with our clubs and competed against veteran professionals,” Kang said. “Whatever role we get, we will be ready.”

Goyang Sono Skygunners center Kang Ji-hoon, right, in action durin a KBL game against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus at Goyang Sono Arena in Goyang, Gyeonggi on Jan. 27. [YONHAP]

Edi, whose mother is Korean and father is British, stands at 1.92 meters (6 feet, 4 inches) and made his first professional debut in the 2025-26 KBL season, during which he has averaged 6.8 points and 3.6 rebounds.

Kang, who stands 2.01 meters tall, also debuted this season and has averaged 8.3 points and 4 rebounds.

Both said they hope the rookie duo can play a decisive role against Japan as Korea seeks to top Group B and continue its push toward the 2027 World Cup.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY PIH JU-YOUNG [[email protected]]