Friday is the time to study at school. But it was different in Hongcheon.
NH Nonghyup Bank’s FIBA 3×3 Hongcheon Challenger 2026 domestic competition held at a special court in Hongcheon K Convention Center in Hongcheon County, Gangwon State, on Wednesday. A special event called “Friday Basketball” was held at the venue.
Starting with street basketball, 3×3 is a festival for all players of all ages. There are professional 3×3 players who go around the world and seek prize money, but there are also many elementary, middle, and high school students who just love basketball and participate.
However, in the case of student-athletes, competitions are often held on weekends as they have to go to school on weekdays. But this time it was different. KXO chose to host the Hongcheon Challenger and proceed with the U18 part on Friday at the same time.
A KXO official said, “The Hongcheon Challenger will be held on Friday and Saturday. Usually, when a challenger is held, a separate competition is held so that athletes of various ages can participate, but there were many concerns as it began on Friday. So I tried not to hold a competition where student-athletes participate, he said. “However, there were many inquiries about holding the competition. The KXO competition itself is popular with young student-athletes (laughs). I opened it after thinking about it, and since it will be held on Friday, I sent an official letter of cooperation to each school,” he explained.
However, as a result of the report, it was virtually difficult to participate in the competition through an official letter of cooperation unless it was a competition representing the school. Therefore, most high school athletes participated in the competition for field trips.
Kim Min-sung of RKDR said, “KXO gave me an official letter of cooperation, but the school didn’t approve it. They say they don’t accept it unless it’s a competition on behalf of the school. So I was able to apply for a field trip and participate in the competition,” he said.
FBP’s Choi Jong-ho also said, “Our school also did not receive an official letter of cooperation, so we were able to participate for field trips.”
Some players participated in the tournament through early leave. Hongcheon High School’s Shin Dong-min said, “I left early due to illness and came to the competition. Children who came out on the same team also participated early, absent, and participated,” he said.
If the passion for 3×3 is not great, the ‘Friday basketball’ of student players is not easy. Shin Dong-min said, “I participated in the competition with my friend and two younger brothers. I learned martial arts when I was young and now I love sports so much, playing 5 to 5 basketball. And it’s good to make memories. My skills may be a little lacking, but I feel good in that I grow and learn on my own. I’m very satisfied just to participate in this competition,” he said.
Choi Jong-ho, who participated in several competitions hosted by KXO and showed off his love for 3×3, said, “As I’m a senior in high school, I have to study, but I don’t regret participating in this competition. I love basketball. I intend to participate steadily even when I become an adult. My goal is to win the Open Division. My brother won the last race, and it’s my turn next,” he said with a smile.
Kim Min-sung said, “Our team has friends living in various places such as Goyang, Incheon, Changwon, and Jinju. So I’m enjoying these competitions as if I’m participating in basketball and traveling. It becomes a meaningful memory. That’s why I thought the KXO competition was precious.
[Hongcheon = MK Sports Reporter]
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