“I want to express my apologies to the fans for the last time.”
Busan KCC coach Jeon Chang-jin, who was conducting a pre-interview in the locker room ahead of the game against Wonju DB on the 17th, suddenly said with a straight face, "Can I tell you something interesting? I really want to tell you something."
At the same time, Director Jeon's anecdote was the story behind the meeting with Laguna. During the last All-Star break, coach Jeon had a chance to chat with Laguna. At that time, Laguna said something that touched the former director's heart.
The story that La Gun-ah carefully brought up was his feelings about the national basketball team. In fact, the current Korean basketball team has disappointed domestic basketball fans with its poor performance and poor performance at last year's Hangzhou Asian Games.
It is said that Laguna, who could not have been unaware of this fact, first apologized to the fans. According to coach Jeon, La Gun-ah said, "At the time, I thought I was finishing up with the national team, but I was not able to play due to my poor physical condition and my performance was not good," and added, "I am very sorry to the fans."
He then strongly expressed his wish to take the opportunity to lessen his regrets at that time. Currently, the newly launched national basketball team under coach Ahn Jun-ho is exploring the strength to be called up to the national team ahead of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup 2025 preliminary group stage at the end of February.
La Gun-ah said that if she was selected to the national team this time, she made a promise to play with the determination to put her whole body on fire. At the same time, the former coach explained that Laguna also added a 'warning', saying, "If the Korean players have not made such a brave determination, I would like to tell them not to come even if they are selected for the national team." Laguna said with a particularly solemn expression, “If the national team calls me, I will run with the determination to go to war.”
Coach Jeon said, "Actually, I was surprised to hear Laguna's story. Now that the contract period is over, I thought she would avoid the national team, but it was the opposite. I am grateful and proud that she has that kind of attitude for Korean basketball."
In an interview with reporters, director Jeon also explained why he asked La Gun-ah to convey his feelings. “It seems like Laguna had a sense of victimization inside. Even though she was the best performer on the team, she said she never had a chance to communicate with the media because opportunities to interview decorated players are usually given to domestic players.” "I wanted to tell you this a long time ago, but I couldn't find the opportunity, but he said he wanted to tell it through me, the director, this time, so I promised that I would do that," he said afterward.
Even though Coach Jeon is a naturalized player, he seemed impressed by the fact that his sincerity and sense of responsibility toward the Taegeuk mark are greater than those of any other domestic player.
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