Who is Hyunjung Lee? Meet 'The Ace of South Korea' Playing for Summer Spurs

SAN FRANCISCO — Perplexity crept across Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Miles Kelly's faces early Friday night as they fielded questions from reporters at Chase Center.

The Summer Spurs' duo had just finished the first game of their California Classic slate — an 88-87 loss to the Miami Heat — before taking the podium together. After a few queries about their own experiences, the conversation shifted to one of their teammates: Hyunjung Lee.

Gillespie consulted Kelly quietly, asking if he'd heard the name right. The pair didn't know a Hyunjung, at least not by that name. They smiled in sync once they put the pieces together.

Hyunjung Lee is better known as "H.J." in Corliss Williamson's locker room.

"Yeah, for sure," Gillespie said, asked if they trusted Lee as a perimeter threat. "He can really shoot the ball. He showed it in our ... minicamp. We definitely trust him."

July 3, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie (17) and Summer Spurs guard Miles Kelly (36) field questions from reporters after a loss to the Miami Heat at the California Classic at Chase Center. | Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Spurs

Lee, a 6-foot-8 forward dubbed "The Ace of South Korean Basketball," has logged 16 points, five rebounds and a pair of assists on 50 percent shooting from the floor and 38 percent shooting from 3 across his two appearances for the Summer Spurs.

His path to San Antonio went through Brian Wright, who reportedly approached Lee in early June with a Summer League contract. Lee says Wright "really wanted" to see him play, which made for an agreeable request for the 25-year-old vying for another shot at the NBA.

"Playing in the NBA is the biggest dream of my life," Lee said Sunday night. "That's the reason I play basketball, and I think this is the opportunity that I have to take."

Before joining the Summer Spurs, Lee played three seasons for Davidson between 2019-2022. Throughout his collegiate tenure, Lee became the first Wildcat in program history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the free-throw line, and remains seventh in school history in career 3-point percentage (39.7).

Williamson was quick to recognize the offensive potential Lee possessed.

"He can definitely shoot the ball," the coach explained on Friday. "He's really good at moving off the ball, he tries to be in the right spots defensively ... he's capable of making shots for us. He does a good job of spacing the floor and making the right reads."

July 3, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Summer Spurs forward Hyunjung Lee (26) shoots the ball during the first half against the Miami Heat at the California Classic at Chase Center. | Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Spurs

Despite his impressive numbers at Davidson, Lee suffered a foot injury during the pre-draft process and went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft. He eventually signed with the Golden State Warriors' G League affiliate in Santa Cruz, where he made just 12 appearances.

Perhaps the biggest moment of his career came during that span, but not on the court.

After playing for the same school Stephen Curry did — "a great honor," Lee says — the forward found himself in the Warriors' weight room on a rare visit to Chase Center. Curry, who was rehabbing a recent wrist injury, approached Lee and asked how his foot was feeling.

"He came to me first," Lee recounted. "He said, 'What's up, Mr. Lee? How's your foot feeling?' He knew about me and everything. It was like a dream moment."

Lee grew up idolizing the Splash Brothers; Klay Thompson in particular. Beyond the obvious overlaps in their skillsets, Lee admitted he even stole Thompson's free throw routine.

"I want to be like him," Lee said, offering a sheepish smile.

While he missed out on meeting Thompson in the weight room that day, meeting Curry marked a milestone achievement for Lee by further fueling his NBA passion. In 2023, Lee signed a Summer League contract with the Philadelphia 76ers before moving back overseas to play for the NBL's Illawarra Hawks and the B.League's Nagasaki Velca.

Ahead of his new stint with the Summer Spurs, Lee spoke on the various stops he's made since leaving Davidson. He outlined a clear path for success.

"Just be myself," Lee said. "Just do what I am good at. I think my teammates really trust me ... all I have to do is trust myself and shoot the ball with confidence."

July 3, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Summer Spurs forward Hyunjung Lee (26) exits the team hotel before a game against the Miami Heat at the California Classic at Chase Center. | Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Spurs

Williamson has something else in mind for Lee's development this summer.

"One of the areas we want to see him continue to grow in is defensively," the coach explained after Lee's second outing. "Being able to defend individually."

Lee, who holds the record for made 3s in a FIBA World Cup Qualifiers match, is currently missing time with the South Korean men's national team to play for the Summer Spurs. South Korea faced Taiwan on July 3 and Japan on July 6 at the 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

While Lee's timeline for return will largely depends on his continued Summer League showing, he maintains his decision to choose the NBA was a no-brainer.

"I also have pride to play for the national team," Lee said, "but the schedule was too tough ... it was really hard to make this decision, but ... I have to chase my dream."

Until Lee returns, South Korea will miss its ace. The Summer Spurs, meanwhile, get "H.J." — who is determined to prove he belongs on an NBA floor.

"I don't mind him getting up seven or eight 3s (a game)," Williamson said. "We have faith in him. We've seen him shoot ... as far as effort and being coachable, he's great."

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