허웅·허훈, 농구 대표팀 탈락…마줄스 감독, 체격 조건 & 사생활 언급

A shift may be underway in South Korean basketball, as brothers Hur Woong (33) and Hur Hoon (31), both of the KCC, were notably absent from the national team roster announced on February 4, 2026. This decision comes from new national team head coach Nikolaios Mazulis (46, Latvia).

A New Direction for the National Team

Mazulis revealed his 12-man squad for upcoming away games against Taiwan on February 26th and Japan on March 1st. This marks the first roster selection for the recently appointed coach. The Hur brothers had not been selected for the national team since 2024, under the previous leadership of coach Ahn Jun-ho.

Individual Performances and the Coach’s Rationale

Despite strong individual performances, the Hur brothers were left off the roster. Hur Woong currently ranks second among Korean players in scoring this season with an average of 16.6 points per game. Hur Hoon is second in assists, averaging 6.6 per game. Notably, Hur Woong scored a remarkable 51 points in a game against the Seoul SK on February 3rd – the third-highest single-game point total in KBL history.

Did You Know? Hur Woong’s 51-point performance on February 3rd was the third-highest single-game point total in KBL history.

Coach Mazulis explained his decision, stating he considered “physical condition” and selected players with “better athletic ability.” When asked if off-court issues factored into his decision regarding Hur Woong, Mazulis responded that he evaluated players based on their conduct “both on and off the court.”

Family Legacy and Recent Challenges

The Hur brothers’ father, Hur Jae, a former national team coach himself, previously led the team during the 2018 Asian Games and included both of his sons on the roster. However, Hur Jae’s recent involvement with the KBL team Carrot ended in controversy. Carrot faced issues including unpaid league fees, unpaid acquisition costs and unpaid player salaries, ultimately leading to the team’s expulsion from the KBL. Hur Jae received a significant penalty from the KBL, barring him from holding any future professional basketball position.

Expert Insight: The exclusion of established players like the Hur brothers signals a clear intent by Coach Mazulis to reshape the national team’s composition and potentially prioritize different attributes in player selection. This could represent a significant shift in strategy for South Korean basketball.

Hur Woong has been involved in legal disputes with a former girlfriend since 2024, facing accusations of coercion and extortion.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the national team roster announced?

The national team roster was announced on February 4, 2026.

Who is the current head coach of the South Korean national basketball team?

The current head coach is Nikolaios Mazulis.

What was Hur Woong’s recent scoring performance?

Hur Woong scored 51 points in a game against the Seoul SK on February 3rd.

As Coach Mazulis prepares the team for the upcoming matches against Taiwan and Japan, it remains to be seen how this new roster will perform and what impact the absence of the Hur brothers will have on the future of South Korean basketball.