[Interview] "I endured by looking at Lee Hyun-jung when I wanted to give up" Park Ji-hyun has now become someone else's dream in the WNBA

*This content was translated by AI.

Park Ji-hyun of the LA Sparks, who has run toward her own dream while watching others' challenges, has now become a player who gives dreams and courage to yet another person.

On the 14th (Korean time), Park Ji-hyun shared honest thoughts about her WNBA challenge journey, her feelings on the new stage, and her role within the team during a video interview with StarNews.

For Park Ji-hyun, a star representing Korean women's basketball, the WNBA has long been an aspiration. After excelling as a top guard in Korea's WKBL, she chose to challenge overseas in 2024. Starting with Bankstown in Australia's NBL1, she played for Tokomana and Queens (New Zealand), Azul Marino Mallorca Palma (Spain), and this year donned the LA Sparks uniform to finally enter the WNBA.

She became the third Korean player ever to step onto the WNBA stage, following Jeong Seon-min (2003) and Park Ji-soo (2018).

Park Ji-hyun reflected, "The WNBA was my ultimate goal and dream. At first, it felt unbelievable and overwhelming."

However, upon reaching the dream stage, another starting line awaited her. Although she experienced diverse basketball across multiple countries beyond Korea, everything from basketball culture to training systems and game environments in the United States was different. Most importantly, competing daily with players of the world's highest level meant there was much to learn anew.

She explained, "The culture is different, as are the crowd sizes and training systems. Since this is a stage where the best players gather, there is much to learn. I am already feeling how high the level is during training."

Language was also a hurdle. Park Ji-hyun said, "I am always doing my best in every aspect. Because I have room for improvement in language skills, I am working harder to adapt tactically and to the team. My mindset is that if others do something once, I will do it three times."

She added, "The environment in the U.S. is so good that one might become complacent, but I continue to stay mindful to avoid that."

On the court, she continues to find her own way to survive. When she first entered the WNBA, she had a strong desire to learn by facing world-class players. Now, beyond simply gaining experience, she is contemplating how she can add real strength to her team.

Park Ji-hyun shared, "At first, I felt like I was learning through collisions. Now that I have adapted somewhat, I keep studying how to find my own way on this stage."

Her defensive responsibilities are no small task either. She stated, "I often guard the opposing ace. Even players at the same position have excellent speed and judgment. By facing and studying those players, I feel I have grown. Since I focused heavily on defense until now, I did not stand out much offensively, but now I believe I need to accumulate stats offensively and help my team."

Indeed, she is gradually building her presence offensively. On the 3rd, during an away game against Portland, Park Ji-hyun played about 18 minutes, contributing 12 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal with outstanding performance. She made two three-pointers and converted 5 of 7 field goal attempts, achieving a high shooting percentage of 71.4%.

Her performance in the decisive fourth quarter stood out especially. Of her total 12 points, she scored 8 in the final quarter, making all three field goal attempts during that period.

At the time, the Los Angeles-area media outlet "Silver Screen and Roll" praised Park Ji-hyun for having a "shining fourth quarter," awarding her the highest rating of "Grade A."

Off the court, she is also gaining experiences as a WNBA player that differ from before. Recently, she participated in a local community event and played basketball with young players. Kim Jong-un, a former WKBL legend, was also present.

Park Ji-hyun said, "It was an event with such good intentions, and I was happy to participate in the community. It was meaningful to spend good time with young players."

Recently, she also created special memories with Son Heung-min, the superstar of Korean football (LAFC). On the 23rd last month, Park Ji-hyun attended an LAFC home game and met Son Heung-min after the match to take a commemorative photo together.

She shared, "I have watched football through the World Cup, but since Son Heung-min is so famous, seeing him in person made it feel even more impactful. I was impressed by his always giving his best on the field and received positive influence."

Son Heung-min was also aware of the presence of the Korean women's basketball star active in Los Angeles. Park Ji-hyun smiled, "I greeted Son Heung-min, and he invited me to a Sparks game while saying many nice things. He even knew that I play for the Sparks."

As Park Ji-hyun carves out her place day by day on the world's highest stage, another Korean player gave her strength: Lee Hyun-jung, who continues his challenge toward entering the NBA.

Lee Hyun-jung led Nagasaki Velca of Japan's B.League to its inaugural championship last season and then played for San Antonio in the NBA Summer League. Currently, he has been invited to mini-camps by the New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics FC, challenging for an NBA entry through a two-way contract. He completed the New Orleans mini-camp from the 8th to the 13th and is scheduled to participate in the Boston mini-camp from the 16th to the 20th.

Previously, Lee Hyun-jung participated in the NBA Summer League twice but did not receive sufficient playing opportunities. However, he did not give up. After experiencing championships in Australia and Japan, he issued another challenge this summer.

Regarding the motivation that allowed him to keep challenging despite multiple setbacks, Lee Hyun-jung stated, "Because it is my dream." He has also said, "I can do this because it is my dream, not something forced upon me by others."

Park Ji-hyun expressed gratitude for enduring difficult moments while watching Lee Hyun-jung, who has continuously challenged in an unfamiliar environment before her.

She said, "Actually, I also nurtured my WNBA dream while watching Hyun-jung. Even when I wanted to give up, I looked at Hyun-jung. Although I am here now, I supported Hyun-jung's challenge and his process. I hope Hyun-jung knows this and feels proud. Many fans probably think the same way."

She added, "If you do your best, I believe you can make it to the NBA. I want Hyun-jung to reach the NBA, and I am cheering for him."

Her journey to the WNBA does not mark the end of all goals. On the contrary, new goals have emerged since coming to the United States.

Park Ji-hyun said, "I thought the WNBA was my ultimate goal, but after arriving here, I have developed many more goals and plans. I want to play in the WNBA for as long as possible while growing. Since there are not many Korean players playing in the U.S., I also want to promote Korean basketball."

Park Ji-hyun, who once nurtured her dream by watching Lee Hyun-jung, has now become a player watched by yet another person. She expressed, "I used to think I had not influenced my juniors much. But now that I am in the WNBA, I hope to become an icon who gives them strength and courage. I want to have a positive influence."

She continued, "Thanks to all those who cheer for me, I am having more grateful moments during this season. My Sparks teammates are even surprised when they say, 'You have so many people cheering for you.' I am truly grateful to everyone; there are too many individuals to thank one by one."

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*This content was translated by AI.