'47.1% Free Throw Percentage' in Severe Slump: 'National Team Guard' Takes It Upon Himself to Do the 'Remaining Homework'... Did Not Leave the Court Even After the Game Ended [Anyang On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Even after the final buzzer sounded and both the spectators and the players from both teams had left the court, the sound of balls hitting the rim did not stop. Byeon Jun-hyung (30), a key guard for Anyang Jung Kwan Jang, remained alone on the court, pouring out thick drops of sweat as he began his 'remaining homework.'

Jung Kwan Jang suffered a 90-92 comeback loss in a close home game against Suwon KT in the regular season at the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Arena on the 31st.

Immediately after the painful defeat, all players retreated to the locker room, but Byeon Jun-hyung did not leave the arena. He stayed on the court with one staff member, silently continuing his shooting practice.

On this day, Byeon Jun-hyung scored 12 points, including two three-pointers, but managed to make only two of his six perimeter shots. Most notably, he showed a severe slump, making just two of his six free throw attempts.

The training began at the free throw line. Byeon Jun-hyung then moved to the perimeter, taking turns shooting three-pointers from the top, the 45th-degree spots, and the corners. As the coaching staff grabbed rebounds and passed the ball back, Byeon Jun-hyung immediately connected with catch-and-shoot attempts in a continuous loop. After completing the perimeter, he returned to the free throw line. He experimented with various trajectories, including clean shots and those hitting the backboard, to adjust his shooting feel. Byeon Jun-hyung guarded the court alone for over 40 minutes, shooting continuously, before finally silently gathering his bag and leaving the arena.

Byeon Jun-hyung is not originally a poor shooter. He is currently averaging 11.5 points and 5.9 assists this season, and he recorded a field goal percentage of 48.7% during his career-high 2022~2023 season. His field goal percentage this season stands at 39.6%.

The problem is that he seems to shrink specifically when standing in front of the free throw line. It appears a kind of free throw slump has set in. After recording 61.3% in his rookie season, 66.0% in 2019~2020, and 58.6% in 2020~2021, he had consistently maintained a range above 70% (71.9%, 77.1%, 74.0%). However, his free throw percentage in this season's regular league plummeted to 47.1%. As a result, his career free throw percentage has also dropped to 67.0%.

The same was true on the international stage where he wore the national team badge. In six games of the 2027 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Byeon Jun-hyung made four two-pointers (4/11) and three three-pointers (3/9), but failed to make a single one of his eight free throw attempts. This clearly indicates that psychological pressure is at play.

Head coach Yoo Do-hoon expressed firm trust after the game, stating, "Byeon Jun-hyung is a player who can definitely shake it off and get back up." As if answering this, Byeon Jun-hyung struggled to find his own answer by shooting alone on the empty court.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original