[On-Site Interview] "I learn just by running for one second with the 'Super Team' seniors" Park Jeong-jeong's expectations for Im Yeon-seo... "She will be BNK's future"

*This content was translated by AI.

Having dominated high school basketball and now entering the professional league, Im Yeon-seo embarks on a new challenge with the 'Super Team', Busan BNK. While immediate playing time is not guaranteed, BNK head coach Park Jeong-jeong expressed hope that the process of daily competition with top-tier seniors will be a great asset to Im's growth.

On the 19th at Cheongju Gymnasium, BNK selected Im Yeon-seo as the second overall pick in the 2026–2027 Women's Professional Basketball League (WKBL) rookie draft.

Known as 'the second Kim Dan-bi', Im Yeon-seo was one of the top prospects in this year's draft. She led Gwangju Suwha Girls' High School to victories in the spring league, the Association President's Cup, and the Weekend League King of Kings tournament, securing a triple crown for her team. She captured the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in all three competitions, leaving no rivals on the high school stage.

However, professional basketball is another world entirely. Especially in BNK, a 'Super Team' filled with top-tier players at every position, she will face even fiercer competition.

BNK's core roster includes Park Hye-jin, Kim So-nia, Ahn Hye-ji, Lee So-hee, Choi Yi-saem, and others, most of whom have national team experience. For Im Yeon-seo, this may mean facing more intense competition than other rookies.

Head coach Park Jeong-jeong maintains a high evaluation of Im Yeon-seo's potential while keeping a clear-eyed perspective. Coach Park stated, "Im Yeon-seo was a standout player among her peers," but also noted, "She still has many areas that need improvement before fully entering the professional league."

Nevertheless, Coach Park believes that being surrounded by top-tier players in BNK could actually present a significant opportunity for Im.

Coach Park said, "Our team has senior players who excel in various positions with their own strengths," and added, "I hope Im Yeon-seo will absorb these qualities well, learn from her seniors' good points, and grow into a versatile player."

She continued, "Even though we are a Super Team, there is much to learn by playing alongside our 'Super Seniors.' Whether she plays for one minute or just one second, I believe such experiences cannot be bought with money."

She then expressed her wish: "I hope she will grow steadily as BNK's future."

In reality, these seniors can serve as both fierce competitors and the best mentors for Im Yeon-seo.

Park Hye-jin is a player renowned not only for her exceptional skills but also for her meticulous self-discipline and diligence. Kim So-nia and Lee So-hee are also players who demonstrate high energy and aggressiveness on the court.

Ahn Hye-ji was once criticized for weak outside shooting, but she significantly improved through relentless repetitive training. She has now grown into a top-tier guard in the league with precise passing ability. Choi Yi-saem is a multi-player capable of handling multiple positions across both inside and outside roles.

In short, there is much more than just one or two things for Im Yeon-seo to observe and learn from living and training alongside her team seniors.

Coach Park Jeong-jeong explained, "It's not just during games that she will compete with her seniors; even during practice, she can continuously challenge and push herself." He added, "Such experiences will be truly valuable for Im Yeon-seo."

One of Im Yeon-seo's strengths is her strong competitive spirit. Coach Park believes this competitive drive could become a major weapon in her adaptation to and growth within the professional league.

He stated, "When I look at Im Yeon-seo now, one of her key strengths is her competitive spirit. Upon entering the professional league, she will certainly feel the wall when facing her seniors. However, if she does not give up but continues to challenge and overcome it, she can grow into an excellent player."

He further added, "I also hope she will grow into a great player in Korean women's basketball."

Her offensive talent also received high praise. Coach Park said, "She has a strong offensive inclination," and noted, "Our team has seniors who are excellent passers, great shooters, fast runners, and powerful players. If she can absorb all these strengths, she could grow into a significantly aggressive asset in Korean women's basketball."

There are also clear areas for improvement. Coach Park explained, "She has a different style from Ahn Hye-ji. While Im Yeon-seo has a strong offensive inclination, she lacks in passing and her weight training is still weak, so there are aspects to improve defensively as well."

He emphasized, "She must absorb her seniors' strengths well. She needs to learn and keep challenging herself." The process of earning opportunities in the professional league ultimately depends on her own efforts.

Coach Park clarified that despite being a top prospect selected second overall, there are no guarantees of playing time for Im Yeon-seo.

He stated, "In the professional league, competition is fair. It's not about giving more opportunities to certain individuals; even if she cannot show immediate results in games, if she demonstrates something during training or daily life, I can offer her a chance."

He continued, "That one opportunity could become two, then three, increasing the time she gets to play alongside her seniors," and stressed, "She must find her own time."

He further advised, "In the professional league, one must have solid fundamentals before showcasing brilliance. First, she needs to show that she is a player with well-established fundamentals to receive opportunities."

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*This content was translated by AI.