Korea Falls to Japan, But Young Star Emerges

The South Korean men’s basketball team suffered a 78-72 defeat against Japan in the fourth game of Group B of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifier held in Okinawa on March 1st. Despite the loss, the emergence of 19-year-traditional Eddie Daniel was a significant positive for the team under new coach Nikolais Majuls.

Korea’s record now stands at 2 wins and 2 losses, putting their qualification for the World Cup finals in jeopardy, while Japan leads Group B with 3 wins and 1 loss.

Daniel’s Impact: Energy and Defensive Prowess

Despite the team’s overall result, Daniel’s performance provided a spark. He played 18 minutes and 55 seconds, contributing 4 points, 2 steals, and 1 block, including 2 offensive rebounds.

Daniel’s impact extended beyond the statistics. His play in the third quarter demonstrably shifted the game’s momentum. He blocked a layup attempt and forced a turnover from Japanese naturalized player Joshua Hawkinson with aggressive defense. Japan committed eight turnovers in the third quarter, allowing Korea to briefly take a 49-47 lead.

“Just wearing a SK uniform in Seoul and playing in the KBL seems like a dream, but I even put on the national flag,”

Eddie Daniel

Coach Majuls’ Trust and Preparation

Daniel revealed specific instructions from Coach Majuls played a key role in his preparation. He was tasked with defending Yuta Watanabe, a player with NBA experience.

“The coach said that if I entered the court instead of Ahn Young-jun, I would be in charge of Yuta Watanabe. Accordingly, I prepared for the Korea-Japan match by watching a lot of Watanabe’s play.”

Eddie Daniel

His teammates also recognized his contribution. Daniel shared that they told him his third-quarter play was instrumental in shifting the game’s momentum.

A Rising Star with a Bright Future

Born to a British father and a Korean mother, Daniel has quickly established himself as a promising talent. He previously earned recognition at the ‘2024 Futures Star Awards’ and the ‘2025 Futures Star Awards’. In his first call-up to the adult national team against Taiwan, he recorded 2 points and 6 rebounds.

Daniel expressed disappointment with the loss but remained determined. I wanted to repay them with a victory, but I am sorry that I could not. I will prepare hard again and repay them with a excellent performance and victory.