Korean basketball teams have achieved significant success at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, securing medals in all four competitions for both men’s and women’s 5×5 and 3×3 formats. This success comes as a welcome boost to a sport facing domestic challenges, such as declining popularity and the need for stronger talent development.
The men’s 5×5 team ended a 12-year title drought by defeating Japan 67-57 in the final, while the men’s 3×3 team claimed Korea’s first Asian Games title in their discipline by beating Qatar 19-10. For the women’s competitions, the 3×3 team earned a bronze medal after a decisive 21-8 win against Thailand, marking their first medal in the event. The women’s 5×5 team also impressed by reaching the final following a victory over China with a score of 85-80 in the semifinals.
Despite these achievements, Korean basketball continues to grapple with several challenges. The sport relies heavily on a small pool of school and university players for both professional and national teams. As of recent counts, Korea had 2,351 registered student-athletes, a stark contrast to Japan’s larger basketball system. Additionally, although the Korean Basketball League recorded its highest attendance in nine seasons with 811,185 spectators during the 2025-26 regular season, it remains below the peak of 1.2 million set in 2013-14.
The recent success in the Asian Games has been attributed to increased international exposure and structured preparation, especially for the 3×3 team. Players participated in both domestic tournaments and international competitions leading up to the games, which basketball officials and analysts believe was crucial for their performance.
However, to sustain and build on this success, further investment is required in several areas, including player development, international competition, domestic leagues, and training infrastructure. The women’s teams, in particular, face difficulties in maintaining adequate numbers for full 5×5 training sessions, highlighting the need for enhanced support and resources.