Super Rookie 'Only 2 Months' since debut, already smells like 'S-Grade'... "He'll be a great guard." Director Moon Kyung-eun admitted [On the site of Suwon]

*This content was translated by AI.

The growth of rookie guards is unusual. Suwon KT's "Super Rookie" Kang Sung-wook (21) completely filled the gap between the main guards' line injuries, leading the team to escape back-to-back losses.

Kang Sung-wook led his team's 74-58 victory with 12 points, six assists and two steals in the fourth round of the 2025-2026 LG Electronics' professional basketball regular league against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis at Suwon KT Sonic Boom Arena on the 11th.

Kang Sung-wook, who met after the game, said, "I'm glad that I ended the losing streak as the coach said. The next game is against Busan KCCC, so it may be physically difficult, but it's meaningful to overcome and win."

Rookie made his professional debut just two months ago. Kang Sung-wook was selected seventh in the first round of the 2025 rookie draft in November and wore a KT uniform.

I didn't have enough time to adjust to the team. KT manager Moon Kyung-eun (54) gave Kang Sung-wook a chance to make his regular league debut less than five days after joining the team. It was Shimsan to fill the vacancy of main guard Kim Sun-hyung (37), who was absent due to a heel injury.

Kang Sung-wook, who spent about two months on the professional stage, is doing more than his part by averaging 12.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists and 2.0 steals. Despite his fairly satisfactory performance, Kang Sung-wook said, "Professional is definitely very different from the college stage. It was a time to clearly know what I was lacking, he said, adding, "I felt a lot of deficiencies in defense. It should be melted into the team's defense as well as individual defense, but it is still insufficient. We urgently need to supplement weight training and defense," he said.

His ability to run the game is not like a rookie. Kang Sung-wook also worked well with foreign players Derek Williams and Isaiah Hicks with his unique skillful play.

Kang Sung-wook said, "The strengths of the two players are different. Williams enjoys the outside play as a forward, and Hicks gives you a lot of energy inside. He explained, "When I play with Williams, I look outside, and when I play with Hicks, I look at the chance to play."

He was also growing up asking seniors for advice on the dilemma between scoring and reading. Kang Sung-wook said, "I'm still lacking a lot. "When I enter the bench, I ask my brothers a lot and the coach tells me directly," he said. "When I'm winning by about 10 points, I go to a two-point fight, which is more likely than a three-point shot, or I look at my teammates' chances. On the contrary, when the attack does not go away, I try to solve it myself," he said.

The highlight of the game was the alley-oop dunk that collaborated with Hicks in the fourth quarter. Kang Sung-wook said, "I've rarely come professionally and put the ball up. But the opponent Igbunu kept leaving the block in the first and second quarters. "I thought Hicks could receive it if I attracted and floated the defense," he said with a smile. "I think it will be a good weapon if I practice a lot and install the floater."

Director Moon Kyung-eun also praised Kang Sung-wook's talent, but at the same time, he also gave affectionate advice. Coach Moon Kyung-eun praised, "He is doing very well for a rookie in aggressive play," but added, "To become an S-class player, you have to have a fast attack speed. When the game goes well, he is colorful and confident, but when it doesn't go well, he should supplement his crisis management ability as a leading guard."

"We also have to learn a lot from Joel Cagoulan. There is a scene of being caught on the screen due to lack of off-season training. He expressed his expectations, saying, "If I wear only such parts, I will be a tremendous guard."

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*This content was translated by AI.