Kim Ye-jin left Hana 1 Q and moved to KB.
Kim Ye-jin (174cm, F), who debuted in the 2016-2017 season, struggled with an injury. He played 25 games in the 2018-2019 season, but there was no other season beyond 20 games.
However, he was different in the last 2022-2023 season. He played 28 games and was in good shape. A healthy Kim Ye-jin stood out in defense. He also won the steals award, averaging 1.8 steals per game.
Kim Ye-jin, who obtained FA qualification this off-season, signed a three-year, 80 million won contract with Cheongju KB. Kim Ye-jin, who made a fresh start at KB, said in a phone interview with this magazine, “I am excited about moving to another team. He also regrets having played 7 years after debuting at Hana 1Q. He learned so much and had a great time. But now, as much as I go to KB, I want to make a fresh start.”
And “KB is a team that has a championship title and plays winning basketball. I want to adapt quickly and play basketball where we can win together.”
Afterward, when asked why Kim Ye-jin moved to KB, she said, “There are many reasons, but coach Kim Wan-soo’s presence was great. In the past, when the coach was at Hana 1Q, he really helped a lot. At that time, when I was having a hard time, he gave me a lot of strength.”
Also, KB has Kang Iseul (180cm, F) who ate rice with Kim Yejin in the past. In response, Kim Ye-jin said, “(Kang) Dew and her older sister were originally close. However, Hana One Q didn’t play many games together as I was injured. At that time, she said a lot that she wanted to learn next to her sister, but she couldn’t do that.” She told me, ‘You said you wanted to play together. (Laughter) She is happy and excited to be able to run together this time,” she said, telling the story she shared with Kang Isul.
Kim Ye-jin already proved to be an excellent defender through her last season. However, KB coach Kim Wan-soo said, “Kim Ye-jin’s defense and stealing have already been recognized. However, he does not stop there and wants to use it in attack as well. He has a weak shot, but he hopes to turn it over. So he intends to give more of a role to shooting and attacking. It is clear that he is a player who will help the team.”
When I told this to Kim Ye-jin, he said,안전놀이터 “Many people recognize him in defense and see him as an advantage, but I think there must be clear growth in offense. He thought so since last season. So, this off-season, defense is also defense, but I am trying to use more power on offense,” he foreshadowed growth in offense.