(Asiad) Latvian-born hoops coach for S. Korea silences critics with gold

Nicolajs Mazurs, a Latvian-born basketball coach, faced initial skepticism when he took charge of the South Korean men's basketball team in December last year. The team had struggled, losing more games than it won during his tenure. However, as the Asian Games approached in Nagoya, Japan, South Korea's performance improved significantly, with their defense becoming more dominant and their offense more efficient.

Lee Hyun-jung, a player from Davidson pursuing an NBA dream, played a pivotal role in South Korea's resurgence. He scored 27 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the final game, contributing significantly to the team's victory. Yet, South Korea's success was not solely Lee Hyun-jung's alone. Throughout the tournament, he consistently expressed gratitude to his teammates, particularly bigs Lee Seoung-hyun and Jang Jae-seok, for their selfless plays and screens that opened up scoring opportunities.

Guards Lee Jung-hyun and Moon Jeong-hyeon were also instrumental in their on-ball defense, consistently playing tough and effective defense.

South Korea's transformation was evident as they began to embrace the basketball style Mazurs had long desired – a physical defense and an abundance of assists on offense. This collective effort, coupled with individual brilliance, particularly from Lee Hyun-jung, propelled South Korea from being a doubtful team to becoming champions at the Asian Games.

This win marked South Korea's first gold medal in men's basketball since 2014 and its first at an away Asian Games since 1982. Looking ahead, Mazurs will aim to guide South Korea to the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup and secure a spot in the 2028 Olympics.