Both Park Hye-jin and Kim Sonia were absent, yet a "surprise heroine emerged"... It is not just about the national team's An Hye-ji and Lee So-hee being present; BNK's Byeon So-jeong hit a career-high 15 points

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Women's professional basketball team Busan BNK secured a valuable comeback victory despite the bad luck of consecutive injuries to its key players. Following Park Hye-jin, Kim Sonia also departed, but an unexpected problem-solver appeared. It was forward Byeon So-jeong (23).

BNK, led by head coach Park Jeong-eun, won 73-65 in a comeback victory against Bucheon Hana Bank in a home game held at the Busan Sajik Indoor Gymnasium on the 8th in the 2026~2027 KB Star Banking Women's Professional Basketball regular season.

With this, BNK recorded a 2-1 record and settled into second place in the league. They had defeated Cheongju KB Stars on the 1st to secure an opening game victory, but their momentum was dampened by a 59-68 loss to Incheon Shinhan Bank on the 7th. However, they reversed the atmosphere by taking down Hana Bank just one day later.

In particular, this victory was significant in that it was achieved despite consecutive setbacks. BNK has been unable to field its full strength due to injuries to key players. Veteran guard Park Hye-jin missed consecutive games due to hip muscle pain, and Kim Sonia also suffered a broken nose injury in the previous game against Shinhan Bank.

Park Hye-jin is a player with abundant experience and excellent game management skills. Kim Sonia is also a core forward with a significant presence on both offense and defense. With both players absent simultaneously, BNK bore a considerable gap in its strength.

However, a new problem-solver emerged from the crisis. It was Byeon So-jeong. Byeon played 35 minutes and 47 seconds that day, scoring 15 points including one three-pointer. She recorded the team's highest score alongside national team guard An Hye-ji and led the victory.

In particular, 15 points is Byeon So-jeong's personal single-game scoring record in the regular season. She demonstrated her presence by setting a "career high" in a situation where key players were absent.

Byeon So-jeong, born in 2003, is a forward standing 180 cm tall. She debuted in the professional league after being drafted third overall by Shinhan Bank at the 2021~2022 WKBL Rookie Draft. In the early stages of her professional career, she had few opportunities to play. She averaged only 1.3 points in 11 games during her rookie season and recorded an average of 3.1 points in the 2022~2023 season as well.

However, she showed a gradual growth trend after transferring to BNK. She played in 28 games in the 2024~2025 season, averaging 2.8 points. Last season, she raised her scoring power to an average of 5.0 points in 30 games.

This season has been even more different. She is establishing herself as a pillar of the team's offense by averaging 11.7 points in the first three games of the opening. Her average playing time also increased from 23 minutes and 18 seconds last season to 27 minutes and 29 seconds.

Above all, she showed a step-up in growth by breaking her personal scoring record in this game against Hana Bank.

BNK played a difficult game that day. In the first half, they struggled against Hana Bank's offensive pressure and trailed by 10 points, 32-42.

However, the atmosphere changed in the second half. BNK succeeded in taking the lead 46-45 with a three-pointer by Vanessa de Jesus in the middle of the third quarter. After a fierce battle, they entered the fourth quarter leading 57-56.

Their focus shone in the decisive moments. In the middle of the fourth quarter, from a 60-60 tie, Tanimura Rika scored in the paint after receiving a pass from An Hye-ji. Lee So-hee's free throws and Kim Min-a's three-pointer also went in, extending the lead to 67-60.

Byeon So-jeong also added points to contribute strength afterward. She shook the opponent's defense with aggressive drives and fast breaks, contributing to the team's victory. Ultimately, BNK completed an 8-point victory.

Of course, the victory was not created by Byeon So-jeong alone. National team players An Hye-ji and Lee So-hee also held the center. An Hye-ji recorded 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists, including three three-pointers that day.

Lee So-hee also contributed with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. She actively moved not only in scoring but also in rebounding and defense, contributing to the team's victory. In addition, Tanimura scored 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, and de Jesus scored 12 points, filling the gap left by key players.

BNK was evaluated as a team with a thick player roster ahead of this season. This game against Hana Bank demonstrated that strength.

Although Park Hye-jin and Kim Sonia were absent, An Hye-ji and Lee So-hee held the center, and a new problem-solver in Byeon So-jeong emerged. In particular, Byeon proved her value by scoring a personal high of 15 points amid the absence of key players.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original