Starting from Hana One Q sign for 10 years
BNK went to FA compensation player and traded right away
I tried on my new uniform and said, "Awkward"
I was shocked by the unexpected transfer
"I like to accept reality quickly"
"The uniform is awkward."
The female professional basketball All-Star guard, who only wore one uniform since joining the professional league in 2014, is wearing a new uniform for the first time. "I think people who see me in a uniform will enjoy it," said Jihyun Shin 29, who only wore practice clothes after leaving Bucheon Hana One Q for 10 years and building a new nest at Shinhan Bank in Incheon. "I have a big image of Hana One Q, but I will change it now."
Jihyun Shin's transfer, which represented Hana One Q, shocked not only the players themselves but also the women's basketball community. Jihyun Shin joined Hana One Q as the top draft pick in 2014 and remained when he was eligible as a free agent twice. In particular, when he was released as a second FA in 2022, it was not easy for other teams to even approach him because the Hana One Q leadership's affection for Jihyun Shin was different.
However, things have changed in the air conditioning league this year. Hana One Q recruited center Jinan from Busan BNK from the FA market, and Jihyun Shin was released from the compensation list. In response, BNK nominated Jihyun Shin as Jinan's compensation player and sent it to Shinhan Bank the next day through a trade.
"To be honest, I didn't feel good when I first heard about the transfer," Jihyun Shin told the Hankook Ilbo at Shinhan Bank's Blue Campus in Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province on Monday. "I couldn't believe it because I was in the same team for nearly 10 years." "If I had a good center, I should have talked about myself as a guard but I couldn't find such a part," he said. "I tend to accept the reality quickly. I wanted to do my best as much as I could in this world of professionals."
Jihyun Shin, who said goodbye to Hana One Q fans on the 30th of last month through social networking services SNS, said, "Thank you for your great love for the past 10 years and making me a happy player," said he was fortunate to be able to leave after unraveling his long-cherished dream of "Spring Basketball." Hana One Q, which had always remained at the bottom of the standings, advanced to its first playoff in the 2023-24 season. "I had a lot of hard times, but I still feel a little light when I go up to the playoffs," Jihyun Shin said, relieved.
He is adjusting smoothly at Shinhan Bank. "I'm comfortable because I have players I've known a lot before," said Jihyun Shin, who has been joining the team's training for three weeks. "I've just gotten to know my juniors, so I talk comfortably and play around with them." Shinhan has made many changes to its squad during the off-season. Key forward Kim Sonia headed to BNK, but it strengthened its capacity by recruiting forward Choi E-sam and guard Shin Isul from Jihyun Shin as well as from the FA market. "Jihyun Shin is a player I wanted to bring in him since he was released as the second FA," Shinhan Bank coach Gunathan said. "We are now able to play fast basketball that we wanted." "I'm worried because I have to do well in line with expectations," Jihyun Shin said with a smile at the coach's high expectations.
Shinhan Bank, which has been called "Real Shinhan" for six consecutive victories around the 2010s, has been hovering at the mid- to low ranks since key players of the dynasty stepped down. It is another challenge for Shin, who has played for a long time in the underdog team. "I always felt pressured to play basketball in the spring," Jihyun Shin said. "I will try to win as much as I can because a professional player says victory." "I want to play fast and fun basketball by showing off my aggressive attitude and passing skills," he said. "The Shinhan Bank that I saw outside showed high energy levels. I think I can also cheer up and play."
Women's pro basketball in the 2024-25 season is expected to be an era of war for spring and autumn. Park Ji-soo formerly Cheongju KB Stars, who dominated the league, and Park Ji-hyun formerly Asan Woori Bank, a national guard, are taking on new challenges overseas. "It will not be strange for anyone to win this season. I have never experienced anything like this before," Jihyun Shin said. "Park Ji-hyun was so physical that it was difficult to deal with him. But now I can feel a bit more comfortable."
Jihyun Shin, who starts the second act of his basketball life at Shinhan Bank, said, "I'm also curious about what the new team will look like," vowing, "I'll prepare hard in the off-season because I want to meet the expectations of the fans." 토토사이트 순위