At 32, making his 'first-ever' attempt at basketball in the U.S., why did Choi Jun-yong make this 'surprising decision'? "There were people who tried to dissuade me..." [Q&A from Yeouido]

*This content was translated by AI.

Choi Jun-yong (32, Busan KCC), known as the 'championship captain' who spent an impressive 10 seasons in Korean professional basketball, has officially declared his move to the United States, leaving behind guaranteed wealth and fame.

On the 29th, Choi held a press conference at Conrad Seoul Hotel in Seoul Yeouido and openly shared his reasons and ambitions for moving to the U.S. in his characteristic bold tone.

Choi stated on that day, "I understand there have been many rumors. I will challenge myself in American basketball. I believe it is proper etiquette and duty to announce this here regarding Korean basketball."

Drafted as the second overall pick in the first round of the 2016 KBL Rookie Draft by Seoul SK, Choi joined Busan KCC starting from the 2023–2024 season. He has appeared in 329 career games, averaging 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. Recognized as one of Korea's top forwards, he was selected to the All-Star team six times and won both the championship finals and the regular season MVP award.

Choi is known for his strong mental fortitude, particularly on big stages. He recorded 14.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 41 playoff games, and 14.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 21 championship finals games.

- What prompted you to personally organize today's press conference and decide to challenge yourself in the U.S.?

"You may have heard through rumors, but I believe it is proper etiquette and duty toward Korean basketball, the KBL, the national team, fans, and the media to state this officially myself. Challenging American basketball has been a dream I've held since elementary and middle school. Although I've shared this story with the media a few times, I only dreamed of it every day and was instinctively afraid to take the leap."

"I often wrote in my diary or training log things like 'Go to Yonsei University,' 'Go to the NBA,' or 'Become a national team player,' but I never wrote about winning the playoffs. Although I achieved many championships and built my career in Korea, there was always a lingering sense of regret in one corner of my heart. To others, it may have looked like I lived life doing everything I wanted, but I couldn't pursue the challenge I truly desired most."

"Being called a 'frog in the well,' I realized that asking myself questions would only lead to greater regret. I decided that if not now, then never, and so I let go of everything and stepped forward with the mindset of 'starting from scratch on bare ground.' Like the Netflix movie Hustle, this is a challenge to start over after reaching the peak, which gives it even greater meaning."

- Did you face any opposition from those around you, your parents, or the KCC organization?

"My parents were initially reluctant, asking why I would give up everything I had built and all the money I earned. They rarely talked about basketball, but this time they finally said, 'I knew you'd go someday, but not now.' When I told them, 'I'm going to America, don't stop me,' they supported me by saying, 'Since you're going, come back as late as possible.'"

"The KCC general manager also tried to dissuade me at first, considering my age and situation. We even argued intensely enough that our voices rose, and I even tried to act like a child and cry. However, the general manager said, 'I saw in your eyes that you wouldn't listen anyway. My role is to protect the player most needed by the team, so I tried to stop you. Go challenge yourself fully and come back.' He also joked that he hoped I'd fail slightly so I could return sooner."

- You made this decision during what should have been the happiest time after winning the championship. What was the specific trigger, and how did the team react?

"Even though I should have been happiest after winning the championship, a question arose in one corner of my heart: 'Why am I not as fully happy as others?' I recalled past days when, despite winning championships and earning a lot of money since my SK days, I lacked the instinctive courage to pursue what I truly wanted because I was afraid to lose it. I decided that if not now, then never."

"I didn't tell many players about this. The first person I told was Song Kyoo-chang, who had already gone overseas. He respected me by saying, 'As expected, you're different.' Heo Woong, feeling regretful, even joked, 'If you don't come back by early next year, I'll kill you.' From the perspective of KCC, I feel deeply sorry for the loss my departure will cause. I promise to return as a more mature and better basketball player."

- What are the specific procedures and schedule for your move to the U.S.?

"I will depart on the evening of August 1st. Having recently undergone knee surgery, I plan to focus on rehabilitation and physical conditioning for about two weeks immediately after leaving, aiming to reach full fitness by late August. According to my agent, the G League president has been keeping an eye on me. I will prepare to meet expectations and, starting from late August, advertise that 'Koreans play basketball well.' I deliberately did not ask my agent detailed questions because I didn't want to create expectations based on hearsay; I only intend to go there to showcase my skills."

- What is your ultimate goal or specific image you wish to present on the American stage?

"A challenge means dreaming big. My first ultimate dream is undoubtedly to sign a contract worth 30 billion won in the U.S. and return wearing an NBA uniform. I often imagine that the showmanship and my playing style, which I displayed in Korean basketball arenas, will also work in America. That is why I am going—to turn that imagination into reality. Whether I earn 30 billion won and return, or start from scratch on bare ground and return with a cracked skull, the challenge itself is success to me. There is no failure."

- What advice did Lee Dae-sung and Lee Hyun-jung, who have experienced the American stage, give you? As a purely domestic player, is English communication an issue?

"Those two players became the greatest strength in my life. They are wonderful players who achieved their own dreams as well as mine. They encouraged me by saying, 'You will definitely succeed if you go,' and even yesterday told me to contact them anytime if they could help."

"Even if I join the G League, I don't think I'll be released. If I'm not selected, Lee Dae-sung would surely tease me a lot. I'm not particularly good at English, but I can communicate better than people who speak English better than me. You may not hear it, but I am already communicating in English through my eyes. I have no worries about English."

- Since you are leaving without a specific team, excitement and fear must coexist.

"Before deciding to challenge myself, I was afraid due to things I had to protect. However, once I made the decision to go, all fear disappeared, and I am only extremely excited. There is no fear."

- Did you discuss anything regarding your potential call-up for the Asian Games national team?

"Due to rehabilitation after surgery, I was unable to participate in immediate training camps or evaluation games. However, I wanted to play in the Asian Games so badly that I separately contacted the association. Although there may be concerns about fairness since I cannot participate in evaluation games or preliminary rounds, the association responded that 'since you are a proven player, such concerns are minimal.' If they call me while I am training and building my body well in the U.S., I am willing to proudly wear the national team jersey for the fans, younger players, and myself."

- When discussing overseas opportunities, was there also an offer from the Japanese professional basketball league?

"It is true that there were discussions about Japan, and I did consider it. However, no matter how much I thought about it, even if I won a championship and received MVP in Japan, I felt there would still be a lingering sense of regret in one corner of my heart, similar to the KCC championship this time. Since my goal was to challenge myself in the country that plays basketball best, deciding to go to the U.S. was not difficult."

- You must have watched NBA or G League games firsthand. How do you assess your own competitiveness?

"I often imagined that if I stepped onto that stage, I wouldn't stand out awkwardly but would perform well. Other players probably had similar imaginations. I am confident enough to prove it, but the process of getting there is extremely difficult. That is why I am going to challenge myself. The journey may be hard, but once I get there, it will surely be very fun. How exciting would it be if a Korean player succeeds in the NBA?"

- Do you have any role models among NBA or G League players?

"All players who wear the NBA logo are my role models. I haven't deeply considered which player's style matches mine, but I believe that simply playing my own game will work."

- What is the specific goal you want to prove to yourself in this challenge?

"It may sound like just a dream, but what I truly and sincerely desire is to wear the uniform of either the G League or the NBA. That is my biggest goal and my truest dream."

- Are you challenging yourself without voluntarily leaving KCC? Are you aware of the potential gap period in case of the worst-case scenario?

"Obviously, wearing a G League or NBA uniform is my dream, so that is why I am going. Whether I leave voluntarily or not is the team's decision, and I have no fear about such matters. I am truly leaving."

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*This content was translated by AI.