Anyang KGC’s point guard Park Chan-Hee was added to the national team training roster. This was confirmed by head coach Yoo Jae-Hak himself. Speaking to the press, Yoo said that a couple of injuries forced him to consider an addition to personnel. “Injuries are unfortunate while some are unforced,” in reference to the unfortunate vehicular accident of rising star Kim Min-Goo and the lingering ankle injury of Lee Dae-Sung.
Park Chan-Hee recently finished his mandatory armed forces service and came back to KGC this February. Despite KGC failing to advance to the KBL playoffs, Park made a good account of himself for the national selection committee to consider his name in the player pool.
Park aged 27 was a former first round pick in the 2009 KBL draft and has been a member of the national team since 2009. He made the team for the 2010 Asian Games, in the 2011 edition of FIBA Asia and the 2012 FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament held in Venezuela. Last year, Park was named to the player pool once again and helped Korea finish first in the East Asian Basketball Tournament. Despite missing the tour of duty for the FIBA Asia held in Manila, Park was a member of the national team that finished second in the East Asian Games.
He is expected to join training camp this week after clearing medical tests. “Park is a versatile guard. He can play point guard and shooting guard,” said Lee Sang-Beom, the former Anyang KGC head coach that Park played under in Venezuela right after winning the 2012 KBL championship. Park will immediately fill in the role of the ailing Lee Dae-Sung who has been experiencing recurring ankle pains and has caused him to miss team practice. “Ankle pain comes back after some physical activity, but my body conditioning is good,” said Lee Dae-Sung. “It has set me back this season and our goal for the Asian games.”
Lee Dae-Sung was named to the fifteen man training camp roster after Park Chan-Hee, alongside others were excluded. “It was a tough choice for me. I felt that Lee can help us with his shooting and defense,” admits Yoo Jae-Hak. “Good thing that Park is ready to help us anytime, he told me.”
Yoo Jae-Hak further elaborated: “Last year we ran a full court press and several guard pressure defense. Park Chan-Hee is that kind of player that has a good response for changing situations.”
Park will rejoin Anyang KGC teammate Oh Se-Keun with the national team. His mentor and close friend Kim Tae-Sol was recently traded from KGC to Jeonju KCC Egis. “Kim was my mentor and it will be a huge adjustment for me next season. We kind of backup one another at the point or provide a defensive tandem when we are on the court together,” admitted Park. With the departure of Kim, KGC’s floor general duties is handed to Park.
The current Korean men’s national team roster:
Kim Sun-Hyung (Seoul SK Knights)
Kim Tae-Sol (Jeonju KCC Egis)
Yang Dong-Geun (Ulsan Mobis Phoebus)
Park Chan-Hee (Anyang KGC)
Lee Dae-Sung (Ulsan Mobis Phoebus)
Cho Sung-Min (Busan Sonicboom KT)
Kim Joo-Sung (Wonju Dongbu Promy)
Yoon Ho-Young (Wonju Dongbu Promy)
Moon Tae-Jong (LG Sakers)
Lee Seung-Hyun (Korea University)
Choi Joon-Young (Yonsei University)
Choi Jin-Soo (Goyang Orions)
Kim Jong-Kyu (LG Sakers)
Lee Jong-Hyun (Korea University)
Oh Se-Keun (Anyang KGC)
Jang Jae-Seok (Goyang Orions)
Sakerland 