"I want to be the best player in the team. I will improve my skills step by step."
Korea University has added four new recruits including Kim Jung-hyun (Myeongji High School), Bang Sung-in (Songdo High School), Yang Jong-yoon (Kyesung High School), and Yoon Hyun-seong (Kyeongbok High School). "We expect Bang Sung-in to be able to play the role of backup point guard. He can play the role of point guard and also has good shooting ability. He can score three to four 3-pointers per game," coach Joo Hee-jung said.
Bang Sung-in played in 25 games in last year's national competition when he was a junior at Songdo High School, and recorded an average of 18.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.2 three-point shots. When he was in high school, he was evaluated as a guard with good basketball sense and attack power. He also boasts outstanding shooting ability from outside, as he exploded seven three-point shots per game.
Bang Sung-in, who is in the midst of winter training, said, "Thanks to my brothers being so comfortable and the coach's good guidance, I'm adapting well," adding, "It hasn't been long since I joined Korea University, but I'm learning a lot. I'm in contact with a systematic university training system and I'm learning what roles the team needs through practice games."
When asked what his team needs, he said, "Since Korea University's team color is defense, we should make sure not to make mistakes in defense. In offense, he should support Moon Yoo-hyun and Seok Jun-hwi as assistant ball handlers and shoot whenever he gets a chance from outside. Overall, I think he should be an energizer who runs hard and runs hard."
He also added that he was a member of Korea University. "When I was in elementary school, I was more interested in Korea than Yonsei University when I started playing basketball. I liked Korea University's basketball and it looked great every time I watched the game. Isn't it a man's team?"
Songdo High School is famous as a team that plays extreme run-and-gun basketball in high school basketball. Basically, because it takes a lot of offense times, there are often games with 100 points and there are many games with 90 points. It is definitely a basketball that contradicts Korea University, which values defense. It may be difficult to adapt to the new team color.
In response, Bang said, "I wasn't good at defense in high school. In fact, when I was in Songdo High School, I often rested when I was playing defense. On the other hand, I can't do that at Korea University (laughs). Even if the matchup opponent is not holding the ball, I should focus and keep moving and following."
"In fact, I had difficulty adapting to Korea University's strong defense system in the beginning. I had a hard time even with the defense steps. Of course, it is the same now. Still, I am gradually getting better as I have adapted. My goal in this winter training is to quickly adapt to the team's defense and to complement my one-on-one defense," he said.
Bang Sung-in said, "I want to raise my defense to the level where I can even take on the opponent's ace stopper."
Coach Joo Hui-jeong will likely actively utilize the "three-guard" system, which focuses on mobility during the upcoming season. In preparation for this, she also tested the three-guard system in practice games with high school teams.
"I'm lucky that I can play in the same team as the two older brothers (Moon and Seok) (Laughs)," said Bang Sung-in, who played as a three-guard along with Moon and Seok Jun-hwi. "Personally, I learn a lot from the strengths of the two older brothers. In particular, Moon Yoo-hyun identifies the positions of the opposing defenders and manages the game so comfortably like a player who does not have the ball even though he is holding the ball when reading the game. "I certainly feel that he is an old player. I'm trying to learn from him by reading and ball handling." 메이저놀이터
Of the four freshmen, Kim Jung-hyun and Yoon Hyun-sung are out of the team due to injuries. Kim Jung-hyun, who underwent Balnal surgery, will have a three to four-month absence, and Yoon Hyun-sung, who is rehabilitating from ankle surgery, will be able to join in February.
Bang Sung-in said, "Yoon Hyun-seong was the best center of high school. Same goes for Kim. Yang Jong-yoon was also a player who always stays healthy. If the four of them are able to blend in well with their strengths, they will be able to bring out stronger team colors." However, Yoon and Kim are out due to injuries. "It's too bad," he said. "Me and Yang should take one more step to help the older guys to be a plus for the team."
When asked what he was most looking forward to during his college career, he said, "It's a regular season. It's the biggest event of the year and many spectators visit the stadium. I often imagine what it would be like to play in such a crowded place. It would be great if I could play in the regular season," adding, "A lot of fans come to Korea University every time we practice." He said, "I learn from watching my brothers serve as fans. I will try my best to help Korea University win this year's regular season, so I ask for your continued support."
Lastly, Bang said, "I want to become a player who is like the best player in the team. I will improve my skills step by step."