*This content was translated by AI.
Ham Ji-hoon (42), a symbol of Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Peebus and a "franchise" star, officially announced his retirement from active duty. Coincidentally, there was a Mobis game on the day of the announcement, and many reporters gathered to hear Ham Ji-hoon's feelings. First of all, he spoke of his second life by expressing his sadness.
The Mobis club announced on the morning of the 27th that "Ham Ji-hoon will retire from his active career after the 2025-2026 season." Ham Ji-hoon will conduct his retirement tour sequentially, starting with an away game against the SK Knights in Seoul on February 6. The official retirement ceremony will take place on April 8 at home against Changwon LG.
The news of Ham Ji-hoon's retirement plan was reported, and there was even a league game for Mobis. Although Mobis lost 54-99 in the game, Ham Ji-hoon met with reporters. On this day, Ham Ji-hoon ran 5:23 and recorded only one assist without scoring.
Ham Ji-hoon, who met after the game, said, "I saw the article. I thought it would be okay, but I felt sad after the retirement article was published. In fact, I talked a lot with the club and the coaching staff when I signed a salary contract ahead of this season. I decided after going through this process," he said in his retirement speech.
He also talked about his retirement tour. Ham Ji-hoon said, "I turned down the retirement tour at first. I didn't think I was that kind of a player yet. I personally didn't like being in the spotlight either. But I remembered my family and my juniors. I wanted to show the Mobis players as a good example, and I wanted to show them that if they work hard in one team, the team does this. So I reversed my position for various reasons," he explained.
As a one-club man, Hyundai Mobis recalled that Ham Ji-hoon was a "family" and a "home" itself. Coach Yang Dong-geun (45) also said of Ham Ji-hoon ahead of the game, "We started the best period with one team and spent the best period together. Indeed, he devoted his youth to the team. To describe Ham Ji-hoon in one word, it is 'Ham Hangyul'. It's because it's always consistent," he praised.
Regarding the possibility of permanent absence of No. 12, Ham Ji-hoon said, "If the team does it, it will be the best honor and pride as a player," adding, "I want to be remembered as a player who has always been consistent, as coach Yang Dong-geun said."
Now, the biggest concern of fans is Ham Ji-hoon's transformation as a leader. The 2007 KBL rookie draft, which was passed by Ham Ji-hoon (10th overall in the first round), has quite a few players who have left their mark on the professional stage. Kim Tae-sul (42), who was the first overall pick, already has KBL coaching experience, and Yang Hee-jong (42), the third overall pick, is also training in the United States. Both Shin Myung-ho (43) and Lee Kwang-jae (42) are coaches at Busan KCC Egis and Wonju DB Promy, respectively. Yang Dong-geun, a close senior member of the team, has already been coaching and managing Mobis since his retirement.
In response, Ham Ji-hoon said, "I haven't talked with the club about my future plans after retirement yet. I think I'll have to talk to you after I retire. Still, if you call me, I'll try harder. Even when I go to such a place, I want to do it consistently."
Finally, Ham Ji-hoon said to his fans, "I want to say thank you with all my heart. Regardless of their performance, Mobis fans always cheered and comforted them in the stadium. Thanks to this, I feel like I'm retiring after receiving such attention. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart and say it's an honor. Even after retirement, I will not forget my gratitude," he said.
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*This content was translated by AI.
