My Journey to Korean Basketball Through Love and Sacrifice

Standing tall with the stature of my American father and the cultural identity of my Korean mother, I have traveled to places I never imagined.

Originally named Eric Lee Sandrin and raised in the United States, I underwent a transformation becoming Lee Seung-jun and let go of my American citizenship to represent South Korea in basketball.

Life and Growth in Seattle

My father, who stood at an impressive 6-foot-7, played college basketball and later in the Army. He met my mother while stationed in Korea, and they eventually settled in Washington State. It was a place my father adored for its mountainous landscapes, and my mother appreciated being somewhat closer to her homeland.

My brother and I were brought up in the Seattle suburbs, with regular summer visits to Korea. Gradually, more family members relocated from Korea to Seattle, opening local businesses such as grocery stores and karaoke bars, much like other Korean immigrants.

Navigating Cultural Duality

In educational settings, we were often among the few Asian students, but at home, everything felt familiar and Korean. This duality resulted in a constant internal tug-of-war between being American externally and Korean at home.

There were often misunderstandings about our ethnicity, with peers questioning if we were Chinese or Japanese. Visits to our father's family in Michigan left relatives puzzled, having never encountered anyone like us.

Despite these challenges, our mother stressed assimilation, fearing cultural discrimination, and thus prioritized an American upbringing while struggling herself with English.

The Choice Between Basketball and Academics

Basketball entered my life around age six. By high school, the attention from sports scouts hinted at a future in the game. Pursuing this path, I attended the University of Portland, later transferring to Seattle Pacific University due to a knee injury, playing for both institutions.

After completing my studies and gaining a teaching qualification, a career in education awaited until basketball stole the spotlight.

Altering Course

Choosing the court over the classroom, I pursued basketball earnestly, much to my mother's dismay. She envisioned more conventional careers for my brother, who considered law, and me.

Nevertheless, basketball became central to our lives. Missing out on the NBA, I crafted an international career, even performing briefly with the Harlem Globetrotters. When invited to try out in Korea, my brother ventured first and encouraged me to join.

Embracing the opportunity, I forfeited my US citizenship to compete for South Korea—a decision that initially unsettled my father, a veteran. Understanding dawned as we reflected on our family's pursuit of better opportunities, akin to my Italian ancestors.

Reimagining Myself in Korea

At 30, I ventured to Seoul, comforted by familiar sights reminiscent of my mother's culture, yet acutely aware of my foreignness due to language barriers and military duty omissions.

Training intensity in Korean basketball paralleled military rigor, with four daily sessions challenging my resilience. Mistakes in cultural etiquette, such as sitting in a coach's chair, underscored my need to master local customs and language.

Adopting the name Seung-jun, meaning 'beautiful victory,' marked my rebirth with cultural significance, complemented by the bond to my brother's name, Dong-jun.

Learning Korean empowered me to connect deeply with relatives, especially understanding my grandmother's stories.

Continuing the Passion Beyond the Court

After retiring from professional basketball in 2017, Korea remained my home. My wife, a fellow athlete of Korean-Romanian descent, continues to inspire with her career.

Alongside my brother and later with Im Won-jun, another Korean American from Seattle, I co-established Prism Hoops Academy, fostering a playful sports environment amidst Korea's academic pressures.

Beyond promoting sports, we aim to create lasting, joyful experiences for kids in basketball, soccer, and chess, prioritizing happiness over perfection.

Nurturing young talent has ignited my aspiration to further pursue education, potentially granting my mother’s wish for her son to enter the teaching profession.