As expected, he is “Big Choi.” Even when he lifted the trophy, he said, “It’s not a good thing because I already expected to win.”
Busan KCC defeated Suwon KT 88-70 in Game 5 of the 2023-2024 season professional basketball championship game (best of four out of seven) held at Suwon KT Sonic Boom Arena on the 5th. As a result, KCC won the championship with 4 wins and 1 loss in the series.
It is the first championship in 13 years since the 2010-2011 season and the sixth championship including the predecessor battle and the Hyundai era. In addition, he became the first fifth-ranked team in the regular league to advance to the championship and win the title.
On the day, Choi had 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, helping him win the championship. Heo displayed stellar performance with 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists, winning the championship title.
Choi Jun-yong’s performance as a member of “Big Choi” shone all the way through the playoffs. He averaged 13.4 points, four rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 12 playoff games. Analysts say that Big Choi’s presence on the court exceeded the visible record.
If Choi Joon-yong played in the championship match, he would win the championship no matter what. During the 2017-2018 and 2021-2022 seasons when he was at SK in Seoul, he advanced to the championship three times so far, showing off his potential to win all of them. In the 2022-2023 season, SK advanced to the championship match, but Choi did not play.
Choi Jun-yong, who appeared at the press conference after the game, was holding the championship champagne. “I’m really drunk. I think I’m drunk,” Choi said after returning from the victory ceremony. “I’m happy to win, but I’m not so happy because I already expected it,” he said, smiling as he felt like 스포츠토토 winning the title.
“It was called a super team and my regular league performance was not good. But I felt like I would win the championship. I will try to win all of my contracts for the remaining four years.”
KCC had been called a “super team” even before the season due to its national team lineup including Heo Woong, Choi Jun-yong, Lee Seung-hyun and Ra Gun-ah, but ended up ranking fifth in the regular season, losing face. However, it showed off its potential from the playoff and returned to being a “real super team.” It beat fourth-ranked Seoul SK in the semifinal PO, and first-ranked Wonju DB in the semifinal PO, and became the first team to advance to the championship game to become the first team ranked fifth.
When asked if he felt any pressure as a super team, he responded confidently. “As you know, I have never felt pressure. I didn’t feel pressure at all. I just felt that I had to meet the expectations of players who were thirsty for a championship and gave me high expectations,” Choi said.
Looking back on a season, Choi said, “It was fun. Whether it was basketball or personal life, it was fun.”
Choi, who has been wearing a KCC uniform this season, averaged 14 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in the regular season. Choi did not show perfect performance as he left the team several times due to injury. “I have never doubted about the team. Sometimes, I doubted myself as the reins were lifted. When I was in a bit of a bad situation, my teammates did a good job, so I was able to endure it,” he said.
He also expressed his honest thoughts on Jeon Chang-jin, who had been coached for one year. “Honestly, I had a hard time thanks to him, and he had a hard time because of me as well. I’ve never seen a player like him before,” Choi said, drawing laughter. “I hope he gets a good rest now because I got a good result.”
KCC moved to Busan from this season and gave great joy to its fans in Busan. It was the first win by the Busan team in 27 years since Kia Enterprise in 1997. Choi Jun-yong said, “It seems that the love of our fans was huge this season. We sometimes got criticized, but we also had good results thanks to our fans.”
“I thought it was Jeonju KCC, but it was difficult at first to become Busan KCC. It is because it has become longer than usual. I am sorry to the Jeonju fans and I am grateful to the Busan fans.”