Korea's first U-girl basketball international competition ended successfully...I want to be a runner-up like Kim Nahee and Heo Yeeun

Aug 30, 2025

Korea's first U-girl basketball international competition ended successfully...I want to be a runner-up like Kim Nahee and Heo Yeeun
Kim Na-hee, a future prospect from Dongshin Elementary School. Photo courtesy =WKBL



Korea's first U-girl basketball international competition ended successfully...I want to be a runner-up like Kim Nahee and Heo Yeeun
The first U-girl basketball international competition in Korea ended successfully.

On the 30th, Japanese teams who visited friendly at the final of the '2025 WKBL International Youth Basketball Championship WITH BNK Financial' held at Sajik Stadium in Busan swept the championship.

In the U-15 (secondary) division, Okinawa Heart Basketball Club (Japan) won 48-36 over Fukuoka Cargo Club (Japan). The U-12 (elementary school) championship trophy went to Itoman Minami Elementary School (Japan), Okinawa, which defeated Onyang-dong Shincho (Korea) 45-41.




A total of 17 teams participated in this competition, including 10 Korean teams, four Japanese teams, and three Taiwanese teams. About 200 U-girl athletes participated in the competition and strengthened international friendship with valuable experiences.

In particular, the fireworks match between Dongshin Elementary School and Minami Elementary School drew attention in the final. In the qualifying league, Dongshincho won 38-33, but the final team lost after a fierce battle to the second extension.

Korea's first U-girl basketball international competition ended successfully...I want to be a runner-up like Kim Nahee and Heo Yeeun
President Shin Sang-hoon, who is awarding the runner-up Dongshincho in the U-12 category. Busan=Reporter Choi Man-sik
Korea's first U-girl basketball international competition ended successfully...I want to be a runner-up like Kim Nahee and Heo Yeeun
WKBL President Shin Sang-hoon is presenting the winning team in the U-15 category. Busan = Reporter Choi Man-sik
But the game didn't matter. Future dreamers gained experience by competing with overseas players, and they did their best until the end with passion as much as professional players, receiving a lot of applause from the crowd.

In particular, Kim Na-hee (1m53) in the sixth grade of Dongshin Elementary School was outstanding. Kim Na-hee is a future prospect who recently won the MVP of the Elite Women's Elementary School at the '2025 National Youth HARMONY CHAMPIONSHIP & CHALLENGER Yanggu Championship' held in Yanggu, Gangwon-do.

In the final on the day, Kim Na-hee also scored 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Although defeated, it was enough to impress with 'Gyeilhak'.

In a post-match interview, Kim Na-hee said, `I felt good to be invited to the tournament, where overseas teams from Japan, Taiwan and other countries participate. It was even better because I got a good result of being the runner-up", he expressed his feelings.




Korea's first U-girl basketball international competition ended successfully...I want to be a runner-up like Kim Nahee and Heo Yeeun
Korea's first U-girl basketball international competition ended successfully...I want to be a runner-up like Kim Nahee and Heo Yeeun
Sajik Indoor Gymnasium holding an award ceremony. Busan = Reporter Choi Man-sik
"It's not my first time playing with foreign players, but what I felt through this tournament was that the Japanese players were fast, handled well with balls, and the Taiwanese players were tall and strong."He cherished his experience with foreign players."

She did not miss out on her first international competition. "I hope there will be many competitions like this, I think it's good to have an international competition in Korea, get close to friends from various countries, and exchange through basketball."

The future hopes of the dream tree have also been fulfilled. Kim Na-hee said, "I want to be a player like KB Stars Heo Ye-eun and Japanese Yuki Kawamura (men). We have a similar position and I want to be similar to dribbling and passing"He looked confident.

Busan = Reporter Choi Man-sik cms@sportschosun.com



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.