Yang Hee-jong

Yang played college basketball for Yonsei University. His teammates at that time included Kim Tae-sul and Ha Seung-jin, who had been his junior in high school.[2][1]

Yang was drafted third overall by Anyang KT&G Kites in the 2007 KBL rookie draft.[3]

During the 2016-17 season, Yang played a pivotal role in Anyang KGC achieving a rare "double", winning both the regular season and the KBL Championship. He formed the core of a formidable team which included Lee Jung-hyun and Oh Se-keun.[4]

After the 2018-19 season, Yang became a free agent after his contract ended. He decided to remain at Anyang KGC and signed a three-year contract.[5]

With the emergence of Moon Seong-gon, it was expected that Yang's starting position would be under threat. Instead he formed a defensive partnership with Moon, his experience complementing Moon's stamina and pace.[6] The duo have won three KBL Defensive Player of the Year awards between them and voted into the KBL Defensive Best 5 multiple times. During the semi-final rounds in the 2020-21 play-offs, they were dubbed "Defense Kings" after holding back a Busan KT Sonicboom team which had some of the league's best young players and most prolific shooters.[7] Anyang KGC went on to win the KBL Championship that season.

Yang was called up to the youth national teams and participated in the 2003 FIBA Under-19 World Championship. He made his senior national team debut at the FIBA Asia Championship 2007.[8] At the FIBA Asia Championship 2009, Lee had his best individual tournament to date and helped the Koreans to a seventh-place finish while averaging a 12 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.[9] Despite his efforts, Korea failed to qualify for the semifinals of the tournament for the first time in their 25 tournament appearances.