Wonju DB’s Coach Kim Joo-sung on the 2024-25 Season: “We’ll Play⁤ Defensive⁣ Basketball ⁢Utilizing‍ Onuaku”

Wonju ‌DB’s professional basketball coach Kim Joo-sung ⁤is taking on a new challenge in the 2024-25⁣ season. He led DB to win the regular season title ⁤wire-to-wire without ⁤giving⁢ up the top⁢ spot even once throughout the regular season last ⁣season, but ended the ‍season by being pushed out by Jeonju KCC in the quarterfinal playoffs (PO). His goal for the new season is‍ to wash ‍away the regret of⁣ the ‍PO.

Dedrick Lawson, ‍who⁢ was the core ⁢of DB ⁤last season, left the team without renewing his contract.⁢ Another task for Coach ⁣Kim is to ​change the team color ‍in⁣ one⁤ season by recruiting Chianu Onuaku, a true center ‌who ⁣played for ⁤DB five years‌ ago.

DB‌ is ​currently undergoing 20 days of training‌ in Sapporo ⁢and Osaka, ‍Japan, from the 10th ⁤to the ⁣19th. We met with coach Kim Joo-sung at the training​ camp ⁣and asked ⁣him⁣ how he is preparing for the new⁢ season.

Preparing for the⁢ New ⁢Season

Coach Kim Joo-sung⁣ shared his thoughts on the upcoming season, ‌”I think we were⁤ able ​to win⁢ because Lawson led⁢ us well in ​the first⁢ round of the regular season last year. ​The first and second rounds were really important in the process of‍ winning, and Lawson led ​us completely. A winning team usually doesn’t completely ‍change its⁢ players, but rather prepares ⁤for another championship by refining ⁤them a little more… It’s true that we have ​to prepare ⁣completely⁢ again.”

Utilizing Onuaku

When‌ asked ​about‍ how he plans‍ to ‌utilize Onuaku, Coach Kim replied, “If ⁣we were​ an offensive team ⁤that focused on the perimeter during Lawson’s time, this season we ⁣will be playing defensive basketball utilizing ‌Onuaku.” He also mentioned that Onuaku’s strengths will be used to push opponents to the goal, or to pressure‌ them‍ using the team’s height advantage.

Changes in Roles

Coach Kim also discussed the changes⁣ in roles for‍ some of⁤ the ⁣players, including Kim Jong-gyu and Kang Sang-jae. He plans to ⁢use Kang Sang-jae as ​the 3rd, while Albano will take on more of the​ role that Lawson ⁤used to play. Kim Jong-gyu’s movement under the goal has improved ​with Onuaku’s presence, and he will⁣ be used in a 2-on-2 situation with Kang Sang-jae.

New‍ Additions

During ‍the off-season, veterans Kim Si-rae and Lee Gwan-hee were recruited as​ transfers. ⁣Coach Kim shared his thoughts on the ​new additions, “Kim Si-rae had a minor injury, but he is ‍definitely experienced. He will⁣ play a backup role supporting Albano from behind. Lee Gwan-hee is a 3&D player, and I think he‌ can do well in both offense and defense.”

Lessons from Last Season

Coach Kim reflected on the losses from last season’s ⁣semifinals, “Of ‌course, it was the coach’s fault. If I ​had to make an excuse, it was that there ⁢was⁢ a long gap‌ until the semifinals. We couldn’t ⁢have practice ⁢matches and ⁣had to wait 2-3 weeks. But that’s just an excuse. I thought our players ⁤didn’t show their aggressiveness and were pushed back by KCC’s aggressive players.”

A New⁣ Story

Coach Kim ⁣Joo-sung shared his thoughts on the possibility of winning a championship, “There aren’t many people⁤ who have been on one team for a‌ long time in ‌professional ‍basketball. For me, ⁢it’s an‌ honor⁣ to be‌ the coach of this⁢ team. I’ve been with‌ this team for over 20 years, so ​many ⁤things have happened during that time, and I always think that I want​ to be a foundation for the team’s growth.”