The Next Step: Lee Hyunjung takes on the NBA
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Every year, the NBA introduces up to 60 new athletes to their association through the NBA draft. As one of the most prestigious and competitive sports leagues in the entire world, the NBA boasts an extremely highest barrier to entry. Statisticians agree there is merely a 0.3% chance of a male basketball athlete having a career in the NBA. Lee Hyun Jung, a South Korean-born forward from Davidson College (also known as the alma mater of Stephen Curry), has taken on the challenge of becoming an NBA player like he has always dreamt of. After finishing his sophomore year in college, Lee finally knocked on the doors of the NBA. However, on the night of June 26th, 2022, his name went unannounced. The NBA did not open the door.
There was no surprise in Lee going undrafted. With his unfortunate late foot injury and the extreme competition of the 2022 draft class, many analysts were skeptical of Lee’s chances of getting drafted. But this does not mean an end to Lee’s career in basketball. Lee clearly has shown his strengths in the game of basketball. Along with his lanky frame towering at 201 cm, in his last season in college, Lee joined the 50-40-90 club. Shooting 50% from the field, 40% from three, and 90% from the free throw line, Lee displayed his top class talents as an elite shooting prospect. Optimists speculated Lee could play a perfect role as an elite catch and shooter off the wing. For example, many analysts have compared him to Miami Heat shooting guard, Duncan Robinson, pointing out his high shooting upside. Lee, however, also has major weaknesses. Experts have often mentioned his lack of athleticism, ranking one the lowest vertical jumps in the NBA Draft Combine, and his weakness in defense as his biggest downsides. But despite this, Lee is still a phenomenal athlete, even being nominated as a finalist for the prestigious Julius Erving Award, given to the best collegiate small forwards in the entire United States nation. So with all his potential and passion for basketball, what can be next for him?
The first route Lee could pursue is the NBA minor affiliate, the NBA G League. If Lee is successfully drafted by a G League team, it would provide him with plenty of playing opportunities and time to develop into a more complete player. Additionally, in the 2021-22 season, a total of 117 players have been called up to the NBA from its lower affiliate in the G League. This signifies even with his time in the G League, Lee could potentially be provided with numerous opportunities to step on the court in an actual NBA game. If Lee is able to perform at a high level in the G League and is able to catch the attention of NBA scouts, he may even be offered a 2-way contract, guaranteeing his time between both the NBA and the G League. In fact, another South Korean prospect, Yeo Jun Seok, has also shown interest in declaring for the G League draft, showing the popularity of the G League among many young prospects. If Lee wishes to pursue the more traditional path of an undrafted NBA prospect, entering the G League could be the perfect route.
Another route Lee could pursue is joining a competitive organization overseas. International leagues such as the National Basketball League (Australia) or the EuroLeagues (Europe) can provide Lee with opportunities for development and another chance at the NBA. In recent years, we have seen many athletes from international basketball backgrounds thriving as elite players in the NBA. For example from Australia, we have seen players such as LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, and more recently Ousmane Dieng, attracting many general managers of the NBA. We were also able to observe the unorthodox path of players like Keifer Sykes, who spent much of his early career overseas after going undrafted in 2015, but eventually made his way back into the NBA through the Indiana Pacers. This route surely may present more risks, but it could also bring greater returns.
There are certainly plenty of opportunities left for Lee. At only 21 years old, what seems like a failure is merely a step towards a successful career. Throughout history, there has only been one Korean player in the NBA. Lee might be our brightest hope to write the next chapter in the history of Korean basketball.