Stalked by Mortality
Aging Hoops Stars Face Murky Future
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Kim Byung-chul, Woo Ji-won and Chun Hee-chul contributed to basketball growing into the most popular sport among youngsters in Korea in the early and mid 1990's, while becoming fan-favorite players.
But after playing 12 seasons in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), the stars have found themselves in a bleak offseason.
The 35-year-old contemporaries became free agents this month, but a flux of competitive rookies has prevented them from signing new deals.
Shooting guard Kim has established himself as a franchise star with the Daegu Orions, playing for the 2002 KBL champion during his whole career. The former Korea University standout is the only basketballer in the league to stick with one team since the beginning of the KBL in 1997.
However, he went through the worst time of his career this past season ― averaging 9.3 points per game (ppg) and 3.6 assists per game (apg), coinciding with his team's erosion as Daegu finished last in the league.
Still having his shooting touch and effectiveness during crunch time as well as being the symbol of a franchise player, he is likely to re-sign with the Orions. But his salary of 290 million won ($280,000), the 16th richest in the league, is expected to get slashed to create some salary cap space for young players.
Woo notched 9.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game (rpg) for the Ulsan Mobis, who finished the season in ninth place. The 1.93-meter small forward, who lifted the championship trophy in 2007 with the Mobis, is unlikely to stay on the team unless he accepts a pay cut. He received 290 million won last year.
SK Knight forward Chun, considered the most talented player in the history of Korean basketball with his leaping ability and shooting range in the paint and outside while at Korea University, finds himself in the toughest situation in his basketball career.
Since joining the league with high expectations, he has yet to live up to them. Although Chun played for the Orions in 2002 on their way to the championship, he has found his role diminishing due to foreign players playing in his position and injuries.
What's worse, the additions of swingman Bang Sung-yoon and No. 2 overall draft pick Kim Min-soo are forcing him to speculate a move or retirement.
Once, Chun, who wants to continue his pro career, was rumored to coach his alma mater or a women's pro team.
The Knights plans to talk with him before he makes a final decision.