Lee_Dong-jun_(basketball)

Lee Dong-jun (basketball)

Lee Dong-jun (basketball)

South Korean basketball player


Lee Dong-jun (born Daniel Sandrin; 27 January 1980) is an American-born South Korean basketball player.[1]

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Career

Lee began his basketball career playing for the University of Portland in the 1998–1999 season, appearing in eight games and scoring an average of 1 points. He transferred to Seattle Pacific University in 2000.[2] After his graduation, he went on to play on professional teams in Luxembourg and Germany before coming to South Korea in 2006.[1]

In South Korea, Lee joined Yonsei University's team in March 2006.[1] Lee's participation in university basketball was controversial because he was not a South Korean citizen and he had previously played in professional leagues in Europe. Even after he naturalised, Korea University continued to object to his participation due to his professional experience; after he was ruled ineligible, a physical altercation broke out at a September 2006 match between Yonsei University and Korea University.[1] Coming to South Korea was a difficult adjustment for Lee in terms of culture and language.[3] Philippine Olympic Committee president Monico Puentevella stated in media interviews that Sandrin had told him "he couldn’t relate with the Koreans because they hardly speak English … he felt more comfortable with our team.[4] Nevertheless, Lee stated that he relished the opportunity to live in the country and learn more about his roots.[3]

Lee would go on to play professionally in the Korean Basketball League for the Daegu Orions.[3] He later moved to the Seoul Samsung Thunders. In January 2013 he and elder brother Lee Seung-jun were booked on assault charges in Mapo District, leading to controversy over whether they should be permitted to play in the then-ongoing KBL All-Star Games.[5]

On 21 November 2016, it was announced that Lee would serve as one of two Alab Pilipinas' world imports together with his brother Lee Seung-jun.[6]

Personal life

Lee was born into a basketball family: his father was an avid player, and taught the game to Lee's older brother and then to Lee himself.[3] He graduated from Bothell High School in 1998 before going on to the University of Portland and then Seattle Pacific University.[2] He naturalised as a South Korean citizen in June 2006, relinquishing his U.S. citizenship in the process.[1][7] His elder brother Eric Sandrin followed him to South Korea and in 2009 also naturalised as a South Korean citizen, changing his name to Lee Seung-jun.[8]

See also


References

  1. "Korea's Next Hoops Star in Making". The Dong-A Ilbo. 6 January 2007. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  2. "Daniel Sandrin Transfers from Portland, Joining Brother". Seattle Pacific University Athletics. 23 May 2000. Archived from the original on 26 June 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  3. "The First Naturalized Half-Korean Brothers in KBL". Arirang News. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  4. Henson, Joaquin (6 August 2007). "Summit to Tackle Basketball Issues". NewsFlash. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  5. Yoo, Jee-ho (12 November 2010). "Half-Korean player on S. Korean basketball team realising dream at Asiad". Yonhap. Retrieved 9 May 2013.

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