Twin Brothers Win Basketball Scholarship Honoring Korean Legend

Two twin brothers from Gyeongbok High School are getting a boost toward their basketball dreams, thanks to a scholarship program that turns game victories into opportunities for young players.

Yoon Jiwon and Yoon Jihoon will each receive about $180 in scholarship funds, plus training gear, injury prevention checkups, and personalized coaching from the Seoul Samsung Thunders professional basketball team. The award ceremony happens February 7th during halftime of the Thunders game against Wonju DB Promy.

The Kim Hyun-jun Basketball Scholarship has been running since 2000, honoring a coach who helped shape Korean basketball into what it is today. Here's the brilliant part: the scholarship fund grows through donations tied to team victories, meaning every win on the court creates opportunities off it.

Over 26 years, the program has awarded scholarships to 81 young basketball players, distributing roughly $130,000 total. What started as a Seoul-only program expanded nationwide in 2011, letting talented players from anywhere in South Korea get recognized.

Why This Inspires

The scholarship's track record speaks volumes about investing in young talent. At least 18 past recipients now play professionally in Korea's top basketball league, including five players on the Seoul Samsung Thunders roster and others across eight different professional teams.

These aren't just handouts. Recipients get access to Cheong Hospital for health screenings and injury analysis, Reebok training gear, and hands-on education about staying healthy while pursuing athletic excellence. The twins will visit the Samsung Training Center to learn injury prevention techniques from professional athletes and coaches.

The scholarship keeps Coach Kim Hyun-jun's legacy alive while creating a pipeline of supported, prepared athletes. His daughter Kim Se-hee will present the awards, connecting the past generation of Korean basketball pioneers to its future stars.

This February, two brothers will step onto a professional court at halftime, not to play but to be celebrated as the next generation worth betting on.