Korea Secures World Cup Berth Thanks to ‘The Conqueror’

The South Korean women’s basketball team has qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, largely due to the exceptional performance of guard Kang Lee-seul. The team clinched their spot with a 105-74 victory over the Philippines on March 15th, securing their third win in the qualifying tournament.

Record-Breaking Performance

Kang Lee-seul has been a driving force throughout the tournament, and her performance against the Philippines was particularly noteworthy. She set a new Qualifying Tournament record with eight 3-point shots made in a single game.

“Coach Park always tells me to shoot whenever I get even a tiny opportunity,”

Kang Lee-seul

Her consistent shooting has been instrumental in Korea’s success, including wins against Nigeria and Colombia.

From Non-Shooter to Key Player

Kang Lee-seul’s journey to becoming a premier shooter is a testament to her dedication and hard work. She wasn’t always known for her 3-point ability.

“Until my second year as a professional, I wasn’t actually a shooter. During the process of changing my position, I practiced several times more than others. Now that my shooting fundamentals and feel are well established, I focus on practicing moving shots and game-situation shooting.”

Kang Lee-seul

This dedication has led to a remarkable level of confidence in her shooting ability.

Comparisons to NBA Star

FIBA noted Kang Lee-seul’s high volume of 3-point attempts, comparing her to NBA star Stephen Curry. Kang has attempted 13.5 three-pointers per game in the qualifying tournament, averaging less than 26 minutes of playing time. This rate of 0.51 attempts per minute exceeds Curry’s 0.37 attempts per minute during the 2020-21 season.

Kang I-seul currently leads the tournament in average points scored with 19.0 points per game.

Looking Ahead

Korea will conclude the final preliminary round with a match against France on March 18th. France currently holds a 4-0 record in the tournament.