SEOUL (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - When Kim JongKyu debuted for the senior Korea team in the FIBA Asia Championship 2011, he was a green 20-year-old who was content playing third fiddle behind Ha SeungJin and Kim JooSung. A few years down the line, and he's now the team's top tier center, but he has had to look over his shoulder, too, with other young talents coming up the ranks.

"I’m still young, but we are facing numerous talents from the younger generation," JongKyu said. "Players like Lee Jonghyun, Lee Seounghyun, the Heo brothers and Song Kyochang just to name a few."

This year alone, JongKyu's prospects of returning to the national team's starting role are a little shaky, given his recent knee injury. The 2.07m slotman is flying to Japan for rehab surgery on his knee, and recovery could take months — months that coach Hur Jae may not able to afford. Still, JongKyu knows that even if he won't be able to suit up this year, Korea's future is in good hands.

"Korea have a bright future ahead of us as long as this young group of talents stays hungry and determined," he said.

Besides, even JongKyu admits that size is not among Korea's strengths, even at the Asian level. He acknowledges the reality that for his team to return to title contender status, Korea will have to stick to what they do best — pace and space.

"Due to our limited height, we have to outrun opponents and pick up the pace," he explained. "If we minimize the damage from mismatch and control the tempo as a unit, we’ll be solid."

He knows this first-hand, especially after repeatedly going mug-to-mug and toe-to-toe with the continent's finest frontliners these past handful of years. In his many tours of duty for the national side, the Changwon LG Sakers big man has had to contend against the likes of Hamed Haddadi, Quincy Davis and Zhou Qi — all of whom are at least as big as JongKyu.

"As a big, it’s a challenge to face bigger guys, especially at international tournaments" JongKyu admitted. "Bigs have to stretch out to set lots of picks on offense, and help out as much as possible on the other end."

It's certainly not the easiest role to play, and more often than not, JongKyu and his fellow frontcourt players have to suffer through the blacks and blues on a regular basis. Of course, it will be even more challenging this year, what with the new competition system and the entry of Australia and New Zealand into the FIBA Asia Cup roster.

"Countries like Iran, China remain as major threats, and New Zealand and Australia also became part of the Asian tournament," he said. "It will be a challenge, but we’ll have to face it and grind it out."

At the end of the day, as long as he recovers well from his latest injury, Kim JongKyu will be more than willing to reprise his role for Korea and be a mentor to the budding young talents who may or may not be looking to take his spot. When the dust settles, all that matters is emerging victorious.

"It’s going to be tough, but if I do get called up, I represent not just myself but my country," JongKyu declared. "I’ll have to battle out there and find a way to get that 'W.'"

FIBA