I remember the first time I saw North Korea's basketball team play in an international tournament back in 2013. There was something fascinating about watching these athletes who'd trained in near-total isolation from the global basketball community. They moved differently, executed plays I hadn't seen before, and displayed a level of discipline that you rarely see in modern basketball. Over the years, I've followed their journey with particular interest, especially as they've begun appearing more frequently in Asian competitions.
The rise of North Korean basketball represents one of the most intriguing developments in international sports. When they first started competing seriously around 2010, their style reminded me of basketball from decades past - fundamental, structured, and incredibly systematic. They lacked the flashy moves and three-point shooting that dominate today's game, but their defensive coordination was something to behold. I've always appreciated teams that prioritize defense, and North Korea's commitment to team defense over individual brilliance created a unique identity for them in Asian basketball. Their participation in the 2014 Asian Games demonstrated this perfectly, where they held opponents to an average of just 68 points per game despite ultimately finishing outside the top eight.
What really struck me during their 2017 FIBA Asia Cup appearance was how much they'd evolved technically while maintaining their distinctive approach. They'd clearly studied international trends, incorporating more three-point attempts while keeping their signature motion offense. I noticed they ran more pick-and-roll actions than before, though still less frequently than other teams. Their shooting percentage from beyond the arc improved to around 34% that tournament, up from a dismal 28% in previous appearances. This technical growth showed they were learning from international exposure, even with limited resources.
The challenges they face are substantial, and I've observed several persistent issues throughout their development. Player height remains a significant limitation - their average roster height of 191 cm consistently places them among the shorter teams in major competitions. International scouting reports I've reviewed indicate they struggle particularly against teams with strong interior presence, having lost by an average margin of 22 points against height-advantaged opponents in their last three major tournaments. Their limited international experience also shows in late-game situations, where they've blown fourth-quarter leads in at least five winnable games since 2015 that I can recall specifically.
The funding and resource gap becomes increasingly apparent each year. While watching their games, I've noticed they often wear older model shoes and use equipment that other national teams phased out years ago. Their travel restrictions mean they participate in fewer international friendlies - according to my records, they've averaged only 3.2 preparatory games before major tournaments since 2010, compared to the Asian average of 8.7. This preparation deficit inevitably affects their performance when facing better-tested opponents.
Political considerations inevitably shape their basketball program in ways that fascinate me as an observer. Their selective participation in international events means we only see them at their best during certain competitions. I've tracked how their performance varies significantly depending on the tournament, with their winning percentage nearly doubling in events hosted in China compared to other locations. The isolation means we rarely see their best players develop over long international careers, with most appearing in only one or two major tournaments before disappearing from the international scene.
The recent developments in Asian basketball create both opportunities and challenges for North Korea's program. Looking at the Philippine national team's approach to the December 9-20 biennial tournament, where they're considering collegiate players like Phillips under coach Norman Black, I can't help but contrast this with North Korea's more insular development system. The SBP's exploration of various options represents the kind of flexible team-building that North Korea's program lacks. While other national teams blend domestic and overseas talent, North Korea remains exclusively homegrown, which I believe limits their potential growth.
Despite the obstacles, I've noticed genuine progress in specific areas. Their youth development appears to be producing more technically skilled players, with their U-18 team showing marked improvement in ball handling and shooting mechanics in recent appearances. The emergence of several 200cm+ prospects in their pipeline suggests they're addressing their height disadvantage, though we likely won't see the fruits of this development for another 3-4 years based on typical player development timelines.
What continues to impress me most is their unique basketball philosophy. In an era where most teams converge toward similar styles, North Korea maintains distinctive offensive sets and defensive schemes that can disrupt opponents unprepared for their approach. I've charted their use of complex off-ball screens and their tendency to take mid-range shots that other teams have largely abandoned - they attempt approximately 14.2 mid-range shots per game compared to the Asian average of 7.8. This stylistic uniqueness gives them a puncher's chance against more talented opponents.
Having followed international basketball for over two decades, I find North Korea's journey particularly compelling because it represents one of the last truly distinctive basketball cultures. While I don't see them challenging Asia's top teams in the immediate future, their gradual improvement suggests they could become more competitive within the next five years. The question remains whether they can overcome their systemic limitations to make that next step, or if they'll remain basketball's most intriguing outlier. Personally, I hope they find ways to increase international exposure while maintaining what makes their approach unique - the sport benefits from diverse basketball philosophies, and theirs adds a fascinating dimension to Asian competitions.