Is it just the 'Big 3' in DB? Second-year Lee Yu-jin explodes for 13 points in opener, also studying front defense... Head coach Lee Gyu-seop: "We will develop him into a good player"

*This content was translated by AI.

Wonju DB is not just about the 'Big 3.' Second-year pro Lee Yu-jin properly revealed his presence from the opening game. The head coach also placed great expectations on his growth potential.

On the 4th, DB won a comeback victory 95-86 against Goyang Sono in a home game at Wonju DB Promi Arena in the 2026~2027 KCC Pro Basketball League.

This season, DB has built a formidable 'Big 3' consisting of Lee Sun Albano, Henry Ellenson, and Ration Hammonds. The evaluation of their strength is high, with seven out of the ten team managers naming DB as championship contenders even before the season started.

However, it was not only the Big 3 members who created the opening game victory.

'Veteran' Kang Sang-jae played brilliantly with 19 points and 7 rebounds, including five three-pointers. In particular, in the third quarter when DB went from chasing to tying and then overtaking, he sank three three-pointers, completely changing the flow of the game.

Second-year Lee Yu-jin also contributed by scoring 13 points. He boldly shot from outside at crucial moments and moved actively not only on offense but also in defense.

Lee Yu-jin, who stands 2m tall, is a promising player with diverse abilities including outside shooting.

He properly showed his strengths from the opening game. When opportunities arose, he did not hesitate, making three three-pointers to record 13 points. Every time Sono attempted a comeback, he cut off the flow with outside shots.

Looking at the entire long season, it is also a positive signal. In DB, where there are many players like Albano, Ellenson, and Hammonds who draw the attention of opposing defenses, if Lee Yu-jin also shows a threatening presence from outside, it will inevitably become more difficult for the opponents.

However, Head coach Lee Gyu-seop does not only demand offense from Lee Yu-jin.

This season, he has assigned Lee Yu-jin to apply pressure on opposing guards in front defense as well.

It is an unfamiliar role for Lee Yu-jin. He candidly said, "I do not have much experience with Navy Headquarters in front defense. So at first, I felt a lot of difficulty in getting out of screens."

However, he is gradually acquiring the knack through repetition. Lee Yu-jin explained, "As I keep doing it, it seems like I am gaining a bit of a knack," adding, "At first, I wondered 'will this work,' but as I continue, there are parts where I am getting better little by little."

His goal when taking on defense is also clear. He said, "It is important to make it as difficult as possible for the opposing guard to attack," adding, "I enter the court with the mindset of not letting the opponent play comfortably within the limit where no foul occurs."

The play of senior teammates is also a good textbook. Lee Yu-jin revealed, "Senior Lee Yong-woo and Senior Lee Yun-gi are good at defense that makes it as difficult as possible for opposing guards to shoot even if they do shoot," adding, "I am trying my best to imitate those aspects as much as possible."

Head coach Lee Gyu-seop is closely watching the growth process of Lee Yu-jin.

The coach said, "I think there are no trial and errors in pro ball. Of course, you have to do it," adding, "Of course, there may be shortcomings."

Even so, he expressed expectations by saying, "Lee Yu-jin has clear strengths. We are trying to supplement his weaknesses with the team defense system so that they can be offset."

The coach emphasized, "Lee Yu-jin and Kim Bo-bae may not meet the standards of fans or stakeholders from the very beginning," adding, "We will strive to make them good players in the league as quickly as possible."

Lee Yu-jin is also well aware of the head coach's expectations. He vowed, "It depends on how I do it, but I will do my best as instructed by the coach," adding, "I will try hard so that I can learn a lot from the coach."

Although his scoring power exploded from the opening game, Lee Yu-jin emphasized team play. He said, "There are too many players with good offensive ability on our team," adding, "I do not want to be greedy. I try to help from the side and only play confidently when my chance comes."

Head coach Lee Gyu-seop gave a passing grade to the performance of domestic players including Lee Yu-jin.

He praised them by saying, "This season, because foreign players play together in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, there are parts where domestic players have to concede and sacrifice their own things. There will be difficult points," adding, "It seems the players did well through their own efforts. As a coach, I am just very grateful."

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*This content was translated by AI.