Each team is gradually increasing the utilization of new players and adding interest to the ranking competition, but SK newcomers still need time.
Among the 10 players selected in the first round of the 2022 rookie draft, 9 newcomers made their debut in the 2022-2023 SKT Adot Pro Basketball regular league. Kim Tae-wan (Hyundai Mobis) is highly regarded for his defense and is often used in the 4th quarter, which is a game-changer, and Yang Jun-seok (LG), who is ranked 1st overall, has finally joined the team after undergoing knee rehabilitation. On the 5th, against Jeonju KCC, he started for the first time since his debut.
The only first-rounder who failed to make a debut match was Moon Ga-on of Seoul SK. Along with Moon Ga-on, Baek Ji-woong, who was nominated in the 1st place in the 2nd round, also played only in the D-League. The guard force, led by Kim Seon-hyeong, is so strong that they have yet to get a chance. Since SK is competing for rankings at the top, there is a possibility that it will not be able to step on the first team stage throughout this season. 토토사이트
If they show competitiveness in the D-League, they may be given a call-up opportunity, but Moon Ga-on and Baek Ji-woong are still in the stage of adapting to the team’s system. Moon Ga-on recorded 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds for an average of 18 minutes and 18 seconds in 7 D-League games. His 3-point shooting percentage is only 13.3%. Baek Ji-woong also recorded 2.5 points, 3-point success rate, 14.3% and 2 rebounds in an average of 13 minutes and 38 seconds in 4 games.
Coach Han Sang-min, who is in charge of the D-League coach by turns with coach Lee Hyun-jun, said, “(Moon) Ga-on not only took on the role of number 3 in college, but also the role of number 4 depending on the situation. In our team, we have to digest number 1 and 2, but the dribble is still lacking. Adapted through training. (Baek) Ji-woong is a player who has poor defensive skills, but can boldly shoot. He even put in a deep three. Both of them do a lot of 2-on-2 training and are in the stage of adapting to the team.”
Coach Han Sang-min also said, “In the D-League, there are many attacks focused on players who are in charge of the goal, such as (Seon) Sang-hyuk, (Kim) Hyeong-bin, and (Kim) Seung-won before the trade. As a result, Gaon and Jiwoong, who were on the outskirts, had few opportunities to shoot. It must have been difficult to maintain shooting condition,” he added.
SK, which took second place in the 2011 and 2012 drafts in a row and nominated Kim Seon-hyung and Choi Bu-kyung, laid the foundation for a strong team. Youngjun Ahn, who was selected as the 4th pick in the 2017 draft, won the rookie award.
Although Ahn Young-joon enlisted, SK still has a thick player base, so there are many barriers that newcomers must pass to enter the first team. Seon Sang-hyeok, 6th pick in the 2021 draft, played an average of 6 minutes and 39 seconds in 5 games last season, and has not played a game this season yet. Lim Hyun-taek, 10th pick in the 2020 draft, has not been able to stand on the first team stage for two seasons. He made his debut this season, but managed only 2 minutes and 36 seconds in both games.
It is important to gain experience, but the first team is a stage where you have to prove yourself. He can’t guarantee when, but in the end, it’s up to those who are prepared to seize the opportunity that will come one day. Choi Seong-won was unknown after being nominated as the 3rd pick in the 2nd round of the 2017 draft, having not played an average of 2 minutes in 7 games over 2 seasons. However, in the 2019-2020 season, he won the Sixth Man Award by showing off his defense and 3-point shooting ability, and this season after joining after being discharged, he has grown into a mainstay who digests an average of 26 minutes and 13 seconds in 26 games. Choi Won-hyeok is also from the 3rd pick in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft, but based on his defense, he became a member of the first team with a salary of 100 million won.
Coach Han Sang-min said, “The D-League members, including rookies, are doing team training and skill training at the same time. It’s just that I can’t do it because it’s a role I haven’t played before, but Gaon and Jiwoong’s willingness to learn is good. I appreciate it,” he said.
‘Nangjungjichu’. It is a four-character idiom meaning ‘an awl in the pocket’. Talented people will always be noticed by others even if they are hidden. It is also a four-character idiom that SK rookies who have yet to play their debut match should engrave.
Choi Seong-won also said of players who are not getting the opportunity to debut early, “You must always be ready to seize the opportunity. I hope you don’t give up saying ‘opportunity won’t come’ and have the mindset of ‘I’ll seize the opportunity that will come someday’.”