The silent but hard-working type are always the undervalued inidividuals. Not much flair nor showmanship, but solid fundamentals do all the talking on the hardcourt. Yoon Ho-Young was such a player who operated under the radar and spotlight for seasons.
But by the 2011-2012 KBL season, Yoon Ho-Young’s game was talking louder, speaks volumes for the team as Wonju Dongbu Promy lead by Kim Joo-Sung, Rod Benson, Lee Kwang-Jae, Park Ji-Hyun and Yoon would set a defensive record for wins and opposition field goal percentage as Wonju won the regular season. Everyone thought that Kim Joo-Sung would reclaim his MVP plum, but he graciously conceded it to the hardworking Yoo.
A great reward for someone who goes for the extra mile with no fanfare. When Lee Sang-Beom has drawn up the the 2012 South Korean National Team that will play in the 2012 Venezuela Olympic wildcard tournament, Yoon’s name no longer a surprise; he was the reigning MVP, he was off to a two year military service that will soon have teammates such as Park Chan-Hee be playing under the Military Sports team as Sang-Moo. Eventually, Yoo would have made the team while close friend Kim Joo-Sung was left off due to an injury.
Many see that this was Yoon’s only shot in once again making the national team under years of absences. Fast forward in the 2013 East Asian Basketball Tournament, Yoon alongside Sang-Moo teammates Park Chan-Hee, Lee Jung-Hyun and Heo Il-Young. They would eventually be teammates with college standouts Lee Jong-Hyun, Kim Jong-Kyu and Kim Min-Koo.
Alongside Heo, Yoon was the veteran leader that lead the team in winning gold and qualifying in style for the 27th FIBA Men’s Championship in Manila.
With Yoo Jae-Hak at the helm, he wanted a team that has struck the balance of youthful potential alongside the veteran experience needed to win. All pointed to Yoo. He is expected to play SF or PF if needed.
In training camp, Yoo was the silent and hardworking type; he let’s the young ones take on the spotlight for exposure while he continuously hone his shooting. Then he retreats to the bench and looks at Moon Seung-Gon and Kim Min-Koo, he volunteers to catch the ball for them as they work on the shooting.
The youth were surprised ofcourse. But that is how Yoon is, always willing to let others get the spotlight. Good karma dictates that such a humble outlook is rewarding, Yoon is being rewarded right now as an essential part for the team’s success. The youth looks up to him, veterans like Yang Dong-Geun and Kim Joo-Sung acknowledges him.
We never hear much about Yoon Ho-Young in the media nor is he being discussed. 2013 Gold in the East Asia tournament saw youth glorification while Yoon stepped away to continue working on his game.
That is how he works. Best to leave him at that and admire from a distance.
Sakerland 