Choi Seo-yeon (21-Busan BNK Thumb), who left his hometown of Yongin for Busan, is quickly integrating into the team. What does he want from his new team?
"At BNK, I want to learn 'Korean basketball' and not get sick," Choi told Star News recently at the Busan Bank Training Center in Gijang-gun, Busan.
Choi, an American expatriate, began her life in Korea after being selected by the Yongin Samsung Life Blooms with the sixth pick of the first round in the 2019-2020 WKBL Draft. While she excelled in her individual skills, including dribbling, she needed time to adjust to the Korean style. This, coupled with nagging injuries, left him lacking physically. As a result, he only played 3 minutes and 43 seconds in 16 regular season games over the past three seasons. 카지노사이트
In addition, Samsung Life had a lot of competition at guard. Yoon Ye-bin (26), Lee Ju-yeon (25), Shin Isul (23), Cho Soo-ah (20), and even WNBA player Kiana Smith (24) joined the team last season. Eventually, Choi Seo-yeon joined BNK in a free trade in May after the 2022-23 season ended.
The Samsung Life players saw off Choi Seo-yeon in tears. Park Hye-mi (28), with whom she was particularly close, was comforted by her sister. "I was surprised, I don't usually do that," she said, joking, "My sister will want to see me. Not me (laughs)," he joked. In addition to Park Hye-mi, he still keeps in touch with Jo Soo-ah and Kiana Smith.
When asked about her first impressions of BNK after leaving her old team, Choi said, "(Park Jeong-jeong) really likes the manager and coaches. I've heard good things about them, so I was excited," she said. "I want to learn Korean-style basketball from them, and that's what I need," she said. Park Jeong-jeong and Byun Yeon-ha are legends with permanent numbers with Samsung Life and Cheongju KB Stars, respectively, while Kim Young-hwa has extensive amateur coaching experience with the Pusan National University basketball team.
Choi Seo-yeon, who dedicated herself to weight training during her rehabilitation process, said, "I like BNK's weight training system. Even if I think I'm out of shape, the teachers are helping me," she said, expressing her satisfaction.
Luckily, it didn't take long for her to adjust to BNK. "They take really good care of me," she said, "I'm very grateful and thankful. I'm so grateful and thankful," he said, adding, "I have to learn quickly." "We're all close now and talk a lot," he said, specifically mentioning Park Da Jung (30), Moon Ji-young (21), Ko Se-rim (21), Choi Min-ju (20), and Shim Soo-hyun (20). With the exception of Park Da-jung, they are all around the same age as Choi Seo-yeon.
Seoyeon Choi is quickly integrating into Busan life. He's been driving more lately, and often drives himself to Gwangalli to visit cafes and restaurants. "I love Busan, especially the sea," he says, "In Seoul, everyone was busy, but in Busan, it's quiet here (Gijang-gun) and noisy in Gwangalli, so it's nice."
Even though she's been with the team for less than half a year, she said some fans have already recognized her in Gwangalli. "Thank you so much for welcoming me and taking care of me. I want to work harder if you support me," she said.
However, Choi is currently unable to play. She injured her heel in a recent practice match and is rehabbing. "I don't even know how I got injured," he said, "but it's getting better. I can work out, but it's hard to play," he said of his condition. "I really wanted to play," he said, adding, "I'm glad it's only a minor injury," he smiled.
"When I first joined the team, I forgot a lot of my plays, so I want to find my basketball and get better," he said. "I hope to improve step by step. I want to get better and better, not too fast."