*This content was translated by AI.
The potential of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 KBL Rookie Draft has finally exploded. Wonju DB rookie Lee Yoo-jin (21) led his team to three consecutive wins with his best performance since his professional debut.
Lee Yoo-jin scored 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist, including 5 3-pointers (5/8) in an away game against Suwon KT in the fifth round of LG Electronics' professional basketball held at Suwon KT Sonic Boom Arena on the 1st.
The 17 points recorded on the day are Lee Yoo-jin's most since his professional debut. On January 30, the previous game, he broke the nine points recorded in the match against Daegu Korea Gas Corporation in just one game.
This season, Lee Yoo-jin was injured in the D-League and did not have many chances. We had to watch Kang Sung-wook (Suwon KT), Moon Yoo-hyun (Anyang Jeonggwanjang), Kang Ji-hoon (Goyang Sono), and Yang Woo-hyuk (Korea Gas Corporation), who are in the same class as draft, play a very active role.
But this day was different. Lee Yoo-jin, who took the opportunity due to a series of injuries in the team, hit an outer gun at every crisis to completely fill the gap in the forward line without Kang Sang-jae.
The head coach also gave a thumbs-up to the rookie's performance. After the game, DB manager Kim Joo-sung praised Kang Sang-jae, saying, "I tried to use (Lee Yoo-jin) little by little because he was physically struggling recently, but he joined the team after returning from injury."
"The season has passed for a while, but I plan to actively help new players continue to do well," he said, expressing trust in his disciples.
Lee Yoo-jin also said, "I'm happy that the team can win by helping the older players in a situation where there are many injured players."
During the sudden increase in playing time after returning from injury, Lee Yoo-jin said, "When I was out with an injury, the coach asked me not to think in a hurry and to build up my body slowly. According to that advice, it was helpful to prepare step by step."
Lee Yoo-jin's fingertips were fierce on this day. When he had a chance, he threw a three-point shot without hesitation. Lee Yoo-jin said, "All coaches and coaches emphasize that shots should always be shot with confidence. "The shooting without hesitation came back with a good result," he said.
He also confessed his honest feelings about his colleagues' performances. In particular, Kang Sung-wook, who met as the opposing team on the day, also scored 23 points and played an active role. Lee Yoo-jin honestly admitted, "If you weren't anxious, you'd be lying."
It was Jung Hyo-geun, a roommate and senior member of the team, who caught Lee Yoo-jin shaking. Lee Yoo-jin said, "(Jung) Hyo-geun said, 'Don't worry about others doing well. He advised, "It's really good to do well for a long time." "Thanks to this, I was able to regain my mental strength," he said.
Also, "Lee Jung-hyun goes to the sauna together and tells me a lot of good things. He added, "He encouraged me to throw it with confidence."
He also talked about the barriers of professional players he felt during his debut season. Lee Yoo-jin, who entered the profession as an early entry, said, "It's definitely different from college. Since there are mercenaries, the system is different, and the team tactics are much more systematic. We have to adapt quickly," he said.
I had the best day, but Lee Yu-jin looked back on himself with a cool head. "Today was a game with a lot of weaknesses. Physical fights or ball transport was unstable. At the end of the game, he committed a foul with a regretful judgment, creating a dangerous situation. I will think a lot and reflect on the video," he vowed.
Lee Yoo-jin, who is 200cm tall, has a good understanding of basketball enough to play in all positions. Lee Yoo-jin said, "I should focus on the No. 3 position now, but I want to be a player who can play when I leave the No. 1 (point guard) or develop a 2-2 play. "My goal is to become a player who does his part no matter what position I enter," he said with emphasis.
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*This content was translated by AI.
