The youngest 5 years ago became the ace 5 years later.

The Korean men’s basketball team, led by coach Chu Il-seung, won by 40 points, 95-55, in the first game of Group D of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games men’s basketball group against Indonesia held at the Zhejiang University Gymnasium in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China on the 26th (Korean time).

Indonesia was considered a relatively weak country. As the power leakage was large, it was thought that it would not be a match for South Korea. Nevertheless, it was impossible to let down one’s guard. As the saying goes, “getting started is half the battle,” so the process and result of the first game were important.

There was no worry in Korea. There was Ace Heo Hoon. He recorded 20 points, including 5 3-pointers, and 7 assists, wreaking havoc on Indonesia’s perimeter defense.

It was the result of going back and forth between steps 1 and 2. When he played as number 1, he dominated the game with proper game management and great assists. And when Kim Seon-hyung was brought on as the number 2 player, he showed off his great shooting sense and confused Indonesia.

In previous matches against Indonesia, there were many cases in which the team was embarrassed by the opponent’s 3-point shot and eventually won by widening the gap with the power of height. But this time was different. When Heo Hoon started the engine, the national team players also showed off their firepower as if they were given strength.

At this point, Kim Seon-hyung’s physical condition is not normal, and Heo Hoon’s role is quite large. It’s hard to say he’s 100% due to a chronic ankle injury. Nevertheless, on the court, he proved who the best guard in KBL is, confirming that he is an ace competing for the No. 1 spot in Asia as well.

Heo Hoon was the youngest player to participate in the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games held five years ago. At the time, he was at the center of criticism due to the greed of former coach Heo Jae, who has now been expelled. But five years later he proudly grew into an ace and showed why he was the best.

Heo Hoon is already a top-level guard in Asia. He can be expected to perform at his best in the Asian Games as well. His only enemy is his physical condition. If his ankle holds up well, winning an away gold medal 41 years after the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games is not a dream.

BY: 와이즈토토