Shinhan Bank succeeded in advancing to the playoffs with young spirit. WKBL’s eldest sister Han Chae-jin chose to retire and the team became younger. The burden on the remaining veterans who have to hold the center of the team has increased. It is only Lee Kyung-eun’s share.
Lee Kyung-eun has become a professional player for 18 years. He is the only player on the team in his mid-30s. There is also a six-year age gap with Sonia Kim, who has the smallest age difference among her teammates.
He said, “(Han Chae-jin) has retired, but I still don’t feel much of it. Right now, it’s just a feeling of emptiness that says, ‘I don’t have one. seems to be,” he said.
Lee Kyung-eun took over as captain again this season. It’s not the first time the claim has been made, but the burden is definitely different.
Lee Kyung-eun said, “When I first heard the captain’s story, I said, ‘I don’t think it will be easy.’ The players have really strong personalities. The coach is also free-spirited. In fact, it’s really difficult to coordinate these guys on the court. It’s true that I’m worried because they’re players with a strong desire to compete, regardless of whether they claim it or not, I have to hold on to these things well.”
Lee Kyung-eun, who was selected second overall in the first round at the 2006 WKBL New Player Selection Ceremony, has risen as the team’s main guard since his days at Kumho Life Insurance (KDB Life Insurance), and has received attention as the league’s number one and next-generation national leading guard.
It was on a steady growth trend, but from the point where KDB Life’s upward trend was broken, it faced a hurdle together. He was plagued by chronic injuries. Although his skills were recognized, the risk of injury was always raised, and body care emerged as a variable every season. Last year, he had difficulties signing his contract even after obtaining free agent status.
But last season, he showed off his strength by appearing in all 30 games. He averaged 7.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 23 minutes and 32 seconds of play. His record itself is nothing special compared to his previous years. He also has a rather reduced figure.
However, his concentration in the match was different. Lee Kyung-eun’s performance, which shone at every decisive moment, was the support that supported Shinhan Bank in every crisis. Can it be said that he is completely free from the evil spirit of his chronic injury?
He said, “Since the graph continued to rise after the knee injury, I think it can be called overcoming. I heard, but in the end, the average playing time for the entire season was less than 25 minutes. This injury is something that cannot be cured after all, so I think the key is to manage it well so that it doesn’t fall further.”
Also, “In the past, there were a lot of plays centered on (Kim) Danbi, but since last year there was no Danbi, so the team play style changed and I had more opportunities to attack. So, compared to last year, there were more visible plays at important moments. same,” he explained.
Shinhan Bank tried to recruit Kim Jong-un (Hana One Q) in the FA market this time. We needed a veteran who could strengthen the team in the short term and help young players grow in the long term. If ‘best friend’ Kim Jong-un had joined, Lee Kyung-eun’s burden could have been much less. Lee Kyung-eun also recommended that Kim Jong-un transfer to Shinhan Bank.
He said, “We talked about playing for the same team at least once before. He also said that he would like to come directly to our team after the 먹튀검증FA market opened. However, it was not an easy choice for (Kim) Jeong-eun to leave the team. , I know you went through a lot of trouble. That’s why I understand and respect the choice Jung Eun-yi made.”
Kim Jong-un eventually chose to transfer, but the destination was Hana One Q, not Shinhan Bank.
Lee Kyung-eun added, “He thought he had something to finish on his own. That’s why he chose to go back to Hana 1 Q. He said he was sorry, but honestly, I don’t think there’s anything to be sorry about.”
Kim Jong-un thanked Lee Kyung-eun for caring through an interview after the transfer, and said that Lee Kyung-eun “coolly understood” the part where he could not play together.
Lee Kyung-eun said, “It’s your decision, so what should I do? To be honest, there is still a feeling of sadness in one side of my heart. They said that coming out of Woori Bank was too difficult, but didn’t you go to another team after doing that difficult thing? I just said, ‘Your life, your old age, you will go a difficult path. He said, ‘What can I say?’” and laughed.
He said, “Honestly, I think this year will be more difficult than last year. Last season, we were very lucky in the ranking fight. There was no (Park) Ji-soo (KB), and there were many injured players from other teams. It is also not easy. As Jung Eun-i goes, it will not be easy to face Hana 1Q. It will be a tough season,” he predicted the next season.
In order to do that, you have to show more concentration on the court like last season.
Lee Kyung-eun said, “My goal is to take care of my body really well so that I can play even one more minute than last year and do what the coach needs on the court. Anyway, we play to win, so our players learn more about the basketball that wins. I wish it would be,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lee Kyung-eun was selected for the national team again.
He said, “I had a lot of emotions. I think 8 years ago was the last national team. The coach must have chosen because he had something he wanted, so there was a burden that I had to do well, and honestly, I also thought, ‘Is it okay for me to go?’ , (Choi Yoon-ah) are seniors who played basketball together when they were active, and both of them were coaches when I first came to Shinhan Bank. I think meeting again in the national team is destiny, and although it is burdensome, I am in good shape. I want to show you,” he said.