I want to retire with more value."
"The team lost a lot, so every time we win, not only the players but also the coaches, coaches, trainers, nutritionists, and company staff are so happy. When I see them like that, I'm doubly happy. I want to win more so that everyone can be happier."
Bucheon Hana One Q, which seemed to be null and void, is making women's professional basketball interesting in the 2023-24 season. It was in last place with 5 wins and 25 losses in the 2021-22 season and 6 wins and 24 losses in the 2022-23 season, but it has recorded 7 wins and 10 losses (fourth) until the first game in the second half of this season, raising the possibility of advancing to the first playoff (PO).
He recently met veteran Kim Jong-un, 37, who returned to his mother's home after giving up all of his youth. Since he has spent the most brilliant time as a player at Asan Woori Bank, winning four regular titles, two championship finals, and one MVP award, his return to Hana One Q was unexpected.
"I originally planned to retire from Woori Bank, but it was a pity that Hana One Q ranked last in recent years. I thought it would be a more valuable retirement if I devote the last part of my basketball life to growing my younger teammates."
"I'm the only one in my team in my 30s. I don't want to hear of a good sister or a good senior." She screams a lot because she thinks she needs a villain. It hurts my heart while talking, but a team can't grow if it only says good things and listens to good things. She also talks about her professional attitude a lot.
She was also reportedly skeptical. Her goal was to win just 10 games, not the last place, but she is getting better-than-expected results. Kim credits her juniors for following her well. No player understands her juniors better than Kim. She has long been a forward representing Korean women's basketball, but she was also the "head of a girl" of the underdog team.
Bucheon Shinsegae, which had Kim wear the uniform for the first time in November 2005, was a prestigious university that collapsed. Although it won the Rookie of the Year award and the Top Scorer award, it failed to fulfill its dream of elevating the last-place team to the top, and the team that was struggling to secure the lowest rank was disbanded in 2012. Hana KEB Bank (currently Hana One Q), which was re-established, failed to shed its image as a weak team. Although it shed tears as it advanced to the championship match for the first time in its 2015-16 season, the record itself was erased from the history of the Korean Women's Basketball League due to the rare "Chelsea Lee incident."
"I know it because I've been through it, but I would have felt like I would lose if I went to the game. Even if I think it won't be easy now, my juniors say, 'It's worth a try' and show confidence. Since it's a team that has nothing to lose, I often say let's have fun and come out without regrets."
Many analysts say that Hana One Q has become tenacious. This is due to defense. While hovering near the bottom for two consecutive seasons, Hana One Q was the team that had the most goals lost, giving up an average of 78.8 points and 75.0 points per game. It is different in this season. It has significantly decreased to 62.1 points on average. It has thus secured the third place in the number of goals lost.
"When I was in the opponent team, I thought I was going to play against Hana One Q. I'm sure it was the same for most other teams. As soon as I got back, I emphasized that the opponent team should be a team that should not be easily seen, and that I should be militant."
"When I was young, I only knew how to attack but I didn't know how to win. Defending is a matter of will. The coach and the coach are holding it in detail. Now that my juniors are also defending, they seem to know for themselves that they will win."
Personally, I think I am about to set a new milestone. The No. 1 scorer in regular games is just around the corner. Jeong Sun-min, the retired coach of the Korean national team, recorded 8,102 points. Kim Jong-un currently has 7,981 points. He still has 122 points to go before taking the top spot. Considering that he is scoring an average of 10.6 points per game with 13 games left, a new history will be possible within this season arithmetically. Kim may feel excited as the WKBL is about to change its name, but he is rather calm and calm.
"I don't know why it's so hard to score 10 points in a game these days. To be honest, I thought I would do it quickly. Looking back, it's a waste of the seasons that I ruined due to injuries and the games I couldn't play. So it's a little disappointing to do it now."
Another milestone is waiting for Kim, who said that if his team chooses between advancing to PO and setting a new record for scoring the most goals, he will definitely choose to advance to PO. This is the largest number of participants ever. Woori Bank coach Lim Young-hee holds the record with 600 games. Kim has played 553 games, with 48 more to break the record. He has to play in three seasons including this season. However, he does not want to be tied to the record."
"I'm playing with juniors who were born in the year when I made my professional debut. I never imagined I could work out until now. I'm happy that I still have an important mission on the court."
"It's been about five years since I've endured with the thought that 'this is the last time'. After two years, I came back to Hana One Q, and if I feel that I'm indolent or that I'm no longer helping my team as a player, I'll put down the ball without any regret."