Busan High Pitcher Ha Hyun-seung Claims 2026 Futures Star Grand Prize
Busan High School third-year pitcher and outfielder Ha Hyun-seung won the grand prize at the 2026 Futures Star Awards held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, Starnews reported. Ha shared the top honor with Gyeongbok High School basketball player Yoon Ji-won, with both athletes receiving a 3 million won cash prize.
Record-Breaking Draft Selection and High School Dominance
The award follows a standout high school season for Ha, who excelled both on the mound and at the plate. Following his performance, the Kiom Heroes selected him with the first overall pick in the 2027 KBO rookie draft. Ha signed a 1.6 billion won contract, marking the largest rookie signing bonus in the 45-year history of the KBO League.
Co-grand prize winner Yoon led Gyeongbok High School to a dominant basketball season, securing four titles including the 63rd Spring National Middle and High School Basketball Federation Haenam Tournament. Yoon earned recognition for a versatile skill set encompassing scoring, rebounding, and passing.
Category Winners and Event Organizers
Several other amateur athletes received star awards at the ceremony, each taking home 1 million won in cash and 1 million won worth of gift certificates. The baseball category recognized Lee Ho-min of Gyeongnam High School, while Ahn Joo-wan of Shinpyung High School and Jung Hyun-woong of Osan High School won for football. Yoon Ji-hoon of Gyeongbok High School joined the list for basketball, alongside golfer Yang Yoon-seo of Incheon Girls’ High School Open Correspondence School and skateboarder Kang Jun-yi of Yeongdeungpo High School.
Additionally, volleyball player Son Seo-yeon of Sunmyeong Girls’ High School and artistic gymnast Hwang Seo-hyun of Incheon Physical Education High School received future star awards, coming with 1 million won in cash and equivalent vouchers. Starnews hosts and organizes the Futures Star Awards, established in 2022 to support Korean sports development and amateur athletics, with backing from the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and various sports federations.