{
  "id": 8180531,
  "title": "Women's basketball coach says team in good shape despite missing stars",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/womens-basketball-coach-says-team-in-good-shape-despite-missing-stars",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T05:42:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260918/womens-basketball-coach-says-team-in-good-shape-despite-missing-stars"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NAGOYA, Japan — Korea head coach Park Soo-ho expressed confidence in his women's national basketball team at the Asian Games in Japan, despite the absence of two key players. Park stated this after Korea's dominant 106-40 victory over Malaysia in their opening Group C match at Aichi International Arena. The team fielded 11 players, one short of the maximum roster size. Center Park Ji-su was unable to participate due to an ankle injury, and coach Park had no alternative to replace her. The Korean Basketball Association also decided not to select a substitute. Park Ji-hyun, another WNBA veteran, was also unable to join the team due to her obligations with the Los Angeles Sparks. Despite the loss of these stars, Park affirmed that the remaining squad would be well-prepared to handle the Asian Games, as their absence had not significantly impacted their preparation.",
  "summary": "NAGOYA, Japan — Korea head coach Park Soo-ho said Friday his women's national basketball team will be just fine at the Asian Games in Japan despite missing two of its biggest stars. Park made the claim after Korea routed Malaysia 106-40 to begin Group C play at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya. Park brought a team of 11 players, one shy of the maximum, with star center Park Ji-su ruled out…",
  "key_points": [
    "Korea women's basketball team confident despite missing stars",
    "Coach Park Soo-ho praises team's readiness for Asian Games",
    "Center Park Ji-su and Park Ji-hyun unable to participate"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Korea's women's basketball team appears well-equipped to handle the Asian Games without two key players, suggesting depth in the current squad and effective preparation by coach Park Soo-ho.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Women's basketball coach says team in good shape despite missing stars",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/womens-basketball-coach-says-team-in-good-shape-despite-missing-stars-8182667",
        "published": "2026-09-18T05:52:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}