“Securing the No. 1 draft pick”: Coach Moon Kyung-un of Suwon KT’s choice is “Not at the level of Oh Se-geun, Kim Ju-sung, or Ha Seung-jin, but…” [Jamsil on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Moon Kyung-un, head coach of Suwon KT, who secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 KBL Rookie Draft, shared his “happy dilemma” as he aims for a four-game winning streak against league leader Seoul Samsung.

KT and Samsung will face off in a Round 2 matchup of the 2026~2027 KCC Pro Basketball regular season at Seoul Jamsil Student Gymnasium at 7 p.m. on the 9th.

KT has climbed steadily, returning to a .500 winning percentage with a record of 6 wins and 6 losses after three consecutive victories. Samsung, which had finished last for five consecutive seasons, is running away in sole first place with a 10-2 record, including a perfect Round 1 since the arrival of head coach Kim Sang-sik.

In the draft lottery held that afternoon, KT celebrated a double joy by securing the No. 1 overall pick. Speaking before the game, Coach Moon said, “While they may not be at the level of Oh Se-geun, Kim Ju-sung, or Ha Seung-jin, there are certainly players who can provide immediate help to the team.” He added, “There are many good players who can step onto the court right away, making them prospects that other coaches would also covet.”

Regarding his selection criteria, Coach Moon previewed a thorough power analysis. “If we make a choice, I think we will look at what resource is most needed for our team this season,” Coach Moon said. “Looking to the future in the guard rotation, we have Kang Sung-wook, but we may need more ball-handling defense. Rather than celebrating the No. 1 pick from Round 1, my first thought is to hold an in-depth meeting and make the best possible choice.” He displayed a cautious attitude.

Continuing on his plans for the guard rotation, he said, “Jung Chang-young also played guard in high school, and Moon Jung-hyun and Paris Bass can handle the ball, so we are managing.” He added, “The biggest challenge for our team right now is defense. We have a sharp sword, but our shield is not solid enough, which is a concern.”

He also shared the injury status of key guards Kim Sun-hyung and Ok Jon. Coach Moon explained, “Kim Sun-hyung remained hospitalized for an additional week because his inflammation levels did not drop after appendectomy. While he can manage daily life, his body has not fully recovered, so we are aiming for a mid-December return rather than the originally targeted early December.”

Regarding Ok Jon, he stated, “We thought it was gastroenteritis and sent him to the hospital, but he was diagnosed with appendicitis. Recovery takes two weeks, and one week has already passed. I believe it is right to prioritize a safe return over forcing an immediate re-entry.”

As for their strategy against leader Samsung, Coach Moon emphasized energy levels and cohesive team play. “Samsung players run the court knowing exactly what they need to do, with high energy,” Coach Moon said. “Their mutual trust is so strong that their play comes alive.” He stressed, “I instructed our domestic players not to be outmatched in the battle of energy, regardless of skill level.”

Additionally, regarding the challenge of a four-game winning streak, Coach Moon firmly stated, “This is truly a tense game. We must overcome this hurdle this season for the team to become more solid and rise to the next level.” He added, “We will definitely win to continue our winning momentum.”

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original