'Bold NBA Challenge Declaration' Choi Jun-yong: "I Even Threw a Tantrum Like a Child to the Team..." How Did This 'Surprise U.S. Debut' Become Possible?

*This content was translated by AI.

The team's full support and trust served as the foundation. Behind Choi Jun-yong (32), who is moving toward the stage he has cherished since childhood, lies Busan KCC's warm consideration.

Choi Jun-yong held a press conference at Conrad Seoul Hotel in Seoul Yeouido to explain his reasons for advancing to the U.S. and his future plans. Choi stated, "Although you may have heard rumors, I believe it is only proper etiquette and duty toward Korean basketball, the KBL, the national team, and fans to officially announce this myself," adding, "I am going to the United States to take on a challenge."

The key points in Choi Jun-yong's U.S. challenge are the steadfast consideration from his current team, KCC, and the resolution of his contractual status.

Initially, the KCC team tried to dissuade him, considering his age and various circumstances. However, after confirming Choi's sincerity and strong desire to face the U.S. stage, they permitted his challenge and promised full support.

Notably, KCC established a flexible safety measure that prioritized the player's risk by maintaining his current team status. Under KBL regulations, if a player voluntarily withdraws from the league, goes abroad, and fails to sign with another team in a different league, they face a fatal one-year gap before being eligible to return after public disclosure. Previously, Song Kyoo-chang, who shared the same team as Choi Jun-yong at KCC, chose overseas advancement by signing with Osaka Evessa of Japan's B.League after undergoing voluntary withdrawal procedures.

In contrast, Choi Jun-yong opted to maintain his status with KCC rather than withdraw voluntarily. Having officially registered as a KCC player for the upcoming season, he is now knocking on the door of the U.S. stage in a stable environment where he retains his team affiliation and continues to receive his monthly salary from the club. Essentially, the team has paved the way so that even if Choi does not achieve desired results in the United States, he can return to KCC at any time without the risk of a one-year gap.

The stage where Choi Jun-yong throws down his challenge is the G League, the lower tier of the NBA. Departing for Las Vegas, United States, on August 1, Choi plans to complete his knee surgery rehabilitation and then begin improving his physical condition from late August onward, aiming to take on tryouts.

Choi stated, "The challenge in the United States has always been a dream I have held since childhood. Although I have won championships and built my career, there remains some regret in a corner of my heart. I feel that if not now, then never, so I decided to leave everything behind and face this challenge with the mindset of starting from scratch on bare ground."

Regarding his negotiations with the team, Choi said, "Even the general manager initially tried to dissuade me, considering my age and circumstances. We even argued until voices were raised, and I even threw tantrums like a child. However, the general manager permitted me by saying, 'My role is to protect the player most needed by the team. Go ahead and challenge fully.' "

On his goals and competitiveness on the U.S. stage, Choi said, "Whether it's the G League or the NBA, wearing the uniform of that stage is my biggest goal and true dream. Whether I return having earned 30 billion won or returning with a fractured skull after starting from scratch, the act of challenging itself is success for me. I often imagined that if I got into that position, I wouldn't stand out awkwardly but would perform well. I am fully confident in my ability to prove myself, and I believe it will be incredibly fun once I get there," adding his characteristic bold ambition.

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*This content was translated by AI.