Three more members of Korea’s Men’s Basketball National Team pool have tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a report by Korean outlet Jumpball, the results came out on Sunday morning, cutting the pool from 16 down to 13.
Korean Twitter personality Heoball added that Lee Jaedo of Changwon, Jeon Seonghyen of Anyang, and Kang Sangjae of Wonju were the ones who contracted the virus.
The remaining healthy members of the pool are Kim Sunhyung of Seoul, Lee Daesung of Goyang, Heo Ung of Wonju, Yang Hongseok of Busan, Lee Woosuk of Ulsan, Yeo JunSeok of Korea University, Doo Kyungmin of Daegu, Byeon Junhyeong of Anyang, , Lee Junghyun of Jeonju, An Youngjun of Seoul, Lee Kwanhee of Seoul, Lee Seunghyun of Goyang, and Jang Jaeseok of Ulsan.
Korea has yet to begin its Goyang bubble with only two days left before their flight to Manila.
Making things worse for the Korean Basketball Association is that head coach Cho Sanghyun is currently in isolation as he came into close contact with one of the positive players.
“We are just trying to get into the tournament, win or lose,” Cho told Jumpball.
“But it has become difficult for us due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.”
Over the weekend, the KBA has also notified FIBA of the crisis they are in.
At worst, Korea will only bring in 10 players for the Quezon City window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The cagers from the Far East are set to collide with the hosts twice, first on February 24 and then on the 28th.
They also face the Tall Blacks on the 25th, followed by a meeting with Indians on the 27th. They will play four games in five days.
If FIBA does not give Korea consideration, missing the window will result in a 0-4 record.
