Kang Yi-seul Leads South Korea to 17th Consecutive FIBA World Cup Appearance

Lyon-Villeurbanne, France – South Korea’s women’s basketball team secured their place in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, extending their streak to a remarkable 17 consecutive appearances in the tournament. Leading the charge was Kang Yi-seul, whose exceptional shooting performance has captivated fans and earned her recognition as a key player in the team’s success.

Dominating Performance in Qualifying Rounds

Kang Yi-seul averaged 18.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.6 steals across five games in the final qualifying round. Her three-point shooting was particularly outstanding, averaging 5.4 successful three-pointers per game with a 41.5% success rate. This performance propelled South Korea to a 3-2 record, securing their spot in the World Cup finals.

Record-Breaking Shooting and International Recognition

During the qualifying tournament, Kang Yi-seul set a new record for the most three-pointers in a single game, sinking 8 triples against the Philippines. FIBA highlighted her unprecedented volume of three-point attempts, noting she attempted 13.5 shots from beyond the arc per outing in less than 26 minutes of play. This rate even surpassed that of NBA sharpshooter Stephen Curry during his 2020-2021 season, with Kang averaging 0.51 three-point attempts per minute compared to Curry’s 0.37.

Kang Yi-seul was rightfully named to FIBA’s final preliminary All-Star 5, acknowledging her pivotal role in the team’s success. MK reported that she was “the main character who showed that the Republic of Korea has risen again.”

Looking Ahead: Potential Overseas Opportunities

Kang Yi-seul received an offer from a French team, Lyon, last year but ultimately decided to remain with the Cheongju KB Stars. As she is now eligible to become a free agent, she is considering exploring opportunities to play overseas. “It seems to be a realistic problem…if the conditions or other realistic aspects are met, I want to go at any time,” Kang Yi-seul stated. She expressed a cautious but optimistic outlook on the possibility of continuing her career abroad.

South Korea’s Continued Success

This qualification marks the 17th consecutive appearance for South Korea in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, second only to the United States. The Chosun Ilbo noted Kang Yi-seul’s pride in extending this record, stating, “Isn’t this the second-highest number of consecutive appearances after the United States? It is meaningful that we were ranked higher than other countries. I have a strong desire to continue this record in the future.”

The South Korean team gained confidence after defeating Nigeria, last year’s African champion, ahead of the World Cup in September. The Chosun Ilbo reported that Kang Lee-seul described the game against France as “meaningful” despite the loss.