Following the tiger’s cave, the two pillars of Suwon’s Jekyll, KT also fully supported
Ha Yoon-ki and Lee Doo-won, big men from Korea University, who met again at Suwon KT, headed to the United States together.
Ha Yoon-ki and Lee Doo-won boarded a plane to the United States on the 7th for skill training. They headed to Irvine, California, and will stay until the 26th.
It is the first time since the spread of Corona 19 that KT has provided American skill training opportunities to key players. The most recent trip to the United States was in 2019 by Heo Hoon, Yang Hong-seok, and Han Hee-won. As the spread of Corona 19 has calmed down and the procedure for overseas visits has been simplified, KT has been conducting skill training for its players.
Above all, the biggest reason was the growth potential shown by Ha Yoon-ki and Lee Doo-won. Yoongi Ha, from the second rank of the 2021 draft, showed remarkable growth in the 2022-2023 season, the second year of his debut. He averaged 15.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 51 games, and his contribution (1366.15) was first on the team. He even won the Skill Development Award, beating out his debut mate Lee Jeong-hyeon (Day One).
Lee Doo-won also wore a KT uniform as the second overall pick in the 2022 rookie draft. Ha Yoon-gi, a senior from Korea University, played an active role as a built-in starter, and did not receive many opportunities compared to the nomination list. He averaged 3.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 8 minutes and 27 seconds in 27 games.
His record itself was not outstanding, but Lee Doo-won is also considered a promising player with an ideal physical condition and athletic ability. Director Song Young-jin said, “(Ha) Yoon-gi and (Lee) Doo-won also have potential. We need foreign players who can make the most of their abilities.”
Ha Yoon-gi and Lee Doo-won receive skill 안전놀이터training from Jordan Lowry. Lowry is an internationally acclaimed skill trainer. He served as a skill trainer for numerous NBA stars, including Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson (Golden State), and Jack LaVine (Chicago). In the past, he visited Korea and took charge of skill training at SK Big Man Camp, KBL Youth Elite Camp, and WKBL.
A KT official said, “We plan to organize individual programs after receiving local tests. There are also exercises that are commonly digested, such as pivoting and correcting shooting posture. After skill training, we plan to conduct 5 units with the players who have been trained together. The three people who had been there before also said that it was very helpful. Ha Yoon-ki and Lee Doo-won also hope to grow further based on their experiences. I think training abroad will help me in terms of motivation as well.”
Ha Yoon-gi said, “I went there once or twice in college, but I am grateful to KT for sending me even after I became a professional player. I will learn hard.” Lee Doo-won also said, “I am grateful to the club officials for giving me the opportunity to gain a good experience in the United States even though I am a rookie. I will learn as much as I received attention and make it my own so that I can show a better image next season.”
