"I am this kind of player": Heo Woong visits coach, even shows highlights... Proves on the court "why he must take risks," KCC snaps 4-game winning streak

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Busan KCC ace Heo Woong (33) proved his worth in the decisive moments of the game.

KCC, led by head coach Lee Sang-min, defeated Seoul SK 75-70 in a home game at Busan Sajik Gymnasium on the 14th in the 2026~2027 KCC Pro Basketball League.

After falling into a 7-game losing streak early in the season, KCC rebounded with four consecutive wins. Their record stands at 6 wins and 8 losses. They are tied for fifth place along with Changwon LG, Suwon KT, and Daegu Korea Gas Corporation. The defending champions, who had dropped to the bottom of the standings, have entered the mid-tier race.

Heo Woong was at the center of the victory. He played 34 minutes and 4 seconds, recording 23 points, including four three-pointers, along with 9 rebounds and 2 assists. In particular, he scored 11 points in the fourth quarter alone. More than half of KCC's 17 points in the final quarter came from Heo Woong's hands.

Behind this performance was a period of deliberation and action as he sought to find his role. In a post-game broadcast interview, Heo Woong reflected on the early season, saying, "It wasn't that I was in poor condition. I think I just couldn't find my footing."

After much thought, Heo Woong went directly to head coach Lee Sang-min. Showing his own highlights, he explained, "I am this kind of player." He then requested that the coaching staff create offensive patterns suited to him.

Having found a way to leverage his strengths, Heo Woong scored at crucial moments against SK as well.

KCC led 42-31 after the first half but struggled with SK's pursuit in the second half. They even allowed a 55-55 tie near the end of the third quarter. It was a moment when they could have ceded momentum, but Heo Woong sank a three-pointer just before the quarter ended. KCC headed into the final quarter leading 58-55.

Heo Woong was needed in the fourth quarter as well. With 1 minute and 35 seconds remaining, KCC allowed An Young-jun to score, falling back into a 66-66 tie. Once again, Heo Woong stepped up as the problem solver. With 1 minute and 18 seconds left, he caught a pass from his younger brother Heo Hoon and hit a long-range three-pointer. KCC pulled ahead 69-66.

When SK closed the gap to one point on a score by Jamil Wony, Heo Woong turned his attention to the paint. With 43 seconds remaining, he scored on a drive and drew a foul from Wony. He did not miss the additional free throw either. The score became 72-68.

He completed a three-point play that shook off a one-point chase, following an outside shot that broke the tie. KCC held onto the victory as Heo Woong was responsible for six consecutive points.

Heo Woong said, "Head coach Lee Sang-min told me not to take risks in this game," but added, "I am a player who must take risks. It seems that taking risks in the fourth quarter worked."

Heo Woong's confidence translated into results. Against SK, he made 9 of his 18 field goal attempts for a 50% shooting percentage and grabbed 9 rebounds. This included 2 offensive rebounds and 7 defensive rebounds. He pulled down the second-most rebounds on the team after foreign player Sean Long (12), contributing to the battle in the paint.

Previously, in the game against LG on the 8th, Heo Woong scored 27 points to lead a 84-74 victory. After recording his season-high scoring performance at the time, he has now scored 20 or more points in two consecutive games, including the one against SK. As KCC's winning streak continues, Heo Woong's offense is gaining momentum.

His sense of responsibility has grown amid a changed roster. With Song Gyo-chang and Choi Jun-yong, who shared last season's championship, leaving the team, the roles that the remaining players must share have increased. Heo Woong explained that while he played basketball alongside those two players last year, this year the roles of himself, Heo Hoon, and Sean Long have become even more important.

He also deliberated on how to leverage the team's strengths. With the forward line's height diminished by the departures of Song Gyo-chang and Choi Jun-yong, the remaining players are pooling their efforts.

He explained, "If Hooni and I hold up in the first and fourth quarters, we gain an advantage in the second and third quarters (when two foreign players are on the court). We have tried to maintain that feeling."

There were also efforts to steady the team's atmosphere. Heo Woong revealed that the player group held a team dinner during their 7-game losing streak. At that gathering, he reflected on the attitude of the players, including himself.

Heo Woong said, "I think we are all making excuses," adding, "It seemed like I was seeing bad habits, so I reflected on myself." He explained, "Since no player can be in a good mood every time, I tried to comfort teammates who were down and focus on what they could do well."

That attitude was evident in the game against SK as well. In a scene where a teammate made a mistake in the third quarter, Heo Woong was the first to express his apology. While leading the game with his scoring, he also worked to regain momentum alongside his teammates.

In this game, Sean Long guarded the paint with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists for KCC, while Lewis King added 14 points. Heo Hoon recorded 10 points and 4 assists.

Heo Woong said, "Seeing Hooni play hard even though he is not in good condition made me think I needed to help him. Sean Long is also working hard on defense. That is what a team feels like."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original