SK’s Kim Ji-Hoo realizes the importance of defense: “We have to trust the coach”

“I have to put my faith in coach (Jeon Hee-chul)”

Free agent Kim Ji-hoo (187 cm, F) has found a new home with the Seoul SK, signing a one-year, 50 million won ($50 million) contract.

Kim was selected by Jeonju KCC (now Busan KCC) with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2014 KBL Rookie Draft and has played for Ulsan Hyundai Mobis and Goyang Sono. In 170 career games, he averaged 5.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. 카지노 His long-range three-point percentage is 36.4 percent.

“It was a crisis that could have ended my career,” Kim said in a phone interview. Fortunately, SK took a good look at me. I’m very grateful that they offered me a contract. I didn’t think it could be my last time until I was in free agency. I thought free agency would be a great opportunity. Every day my blood ran dry. I couldn’t sleep, and I was in pain,” he said.

“I wanted to play for SK since I was a rookie, and there are so many SK fans. I wanted to play in front of them, and the team atmosphere is really good from the outside. I wanted to have fun playing basketball with my brothers,” she added.

Kim has been recognized as an explosive shooter since her days at Korea University. His strength and defense left something to be desired.

“I also realized my position during free agency. (I’m) honestly a half player who can’t defend. I have to get rid of that image. You have to cover your weaknesses with your strengths. I haven’t had a lot of playing time. It wasn’t easy to show,” he said, adding, “Coach Kim’s style of defense was different from what I’m used to. It took me a while to adapt. However, as I played the season, I gained more understanding. I didn’t fully meet coach Kim’s expectations, but I was able to play defense in one or two games. I felt joy in defense, and I want to feel that joy again.”

“You have to be able to play defense to some extent. Only then, I can get more playing time. I can show what I can do. As I prepare for the 2024-2025 season, I will focus on my defense. I have to work on my shooting. I will increase my playing time and show a stable performance.”

After appearing in 53 games in 2014-2015, her debut season, Kim played just one game for Hyundai Mobis in 2022-2023. In the 2023-2024 season, she played 27 matches for SONO and regained her confidence.

“I hardly played at Hyundai Mobis. I doubted my ability because I wasn’t getting playing time, but then I got my chance at SONO. I played about 30 games (27 to be exact). I didn’t play many long matches, but it was worth it. It gave me confidence,” he said.

“I haven’t met the coach yet. He said, ‘Do what you have to do. We’ll talk about it when we meet,'” he said. It was crazy during the free agency period. I signed the day before (the 20th). Therefore, I haven’t set my goals for the 2024-2025 season yet. My first goal is to be recognized as the player the coach needs. I have to trust the coach,” he concluded.