South Korea wins first-ever Asian Games gold in men's 3x3 basketball, topping Qatar 19-10

South Korea's men's 3x3 basketball team claimed the country's first-ever gold medal in the discipline at the Asian Games on Friday.

The national team, coached by Bae Gil-tae, defeated Qatar 19-10 in the men's 3x3 basketball final at the outdoor court at Kinjo Futo Station Square in Nagoya, Japan, at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. It marked the first time South Korea had won gold in the event since 3x3 basketball became an official Asian Games discipline.

The squad comprised four college players with no professional experience: Lee Ju-young (22) and Kim Seung-woo (21), both of Yonsei University; Lee Dong-geun (23) of Korea University; and Gu Min-gyo (21) of Sungkyunkwan University. Their average age was 21.7. Qatar's roster averaged 2 meters in height — 7.5 centimeters taller than the Korean side.

South Korea compensated for the height disadvantage through defense and perimeter shooting. The team committed just one turnover while forcing nine from Qatar, and pulled down 16 rebounds — nearly matching Qatar's 17.

"As the game went on, I could see the Qatari players wearing down, but on the court I felt we were not losing out physically at all," said Kim Seung-woo, the youngest member of the squad. "Watching my teammates get back up every time they fell gave us even greater confidence."

The men's 5x5 basketball team's gold medal earlier in the tournament also served as motivation. That squad, coached by Nikolajs Mazurs, beat Japan in the final to win gold for the first time in 12 years.

"Watching the 5x5 guys play with such desperation made me think, 'If we play like that, we will never lose,'" Kim told reporters after the match. "Seeing them win gold naturally motivated us and gave us even more confidence."

Lee Dong-geun said, "I went onto the court ready to give everything I had, so seeing everyone this happy at the end makes me think I still had a little left in the tank." Lee Ju-young added, "Their No. 10 was their ace, so I made up my mind that even if I could not score, I would hound that player relentlessly — and I gave it everything I had."

The gold medal also entitles the players to military service exemptions.

"I want to use the time I have gained to prepare harder than anyone and contribute, even in a small way, to the development of basketball in South Korea," Kim said. Gu Min-gyo said, "I will keep working to earn a spot on the senior national team. I believe the four of us together are unbeatable."

South Korea had previously won silver at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games and finished fourth at the 2022 Hangzhou Games. Friday's gold was the country's 13th of the current tournament and its 800th all-time at the Asian Games.