By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
The 1996 NBA draft which produced the whole bunch of the current NBA superstars such as Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, Ray Allen and Jermaine O'Neal is considered one of the best ever drafts in the history of the league.
That time has arrived for the Korean Basketball League (KBL) with a host of talented young players from the 2007 rookie draft, although there is no saying they are as competent as the American players.
``It is the first time for so many good rookies to join the league at the same time,'' ET Land BlackSlammers manager Choi Hee-am said in an interview.
Although there is no superstar-caliber prospect such as Kim Joo-sung of the Dongbu Promy or Kim Seung-hyun of the Taegu Orions, who dominated the league on their arrival, more than 10 are expected to contribute to their teams from the beginning of the season.
The draftees are even valued more than those in the 1999 draft when Kang Hyuk, Cho Woo-hyun, Kim Sung-chul, Cho Sang-hyun and Hwang Sung-in were selected.
Among prospects, No. 1 and 2 Draft picks and Yonsei University graduates, Kim Tae-sul of the SK Knights and Lee Dong-jun of the Orions, outshone all others in the preseason games.
1.8-meter point guard Kim played 35 minutes in his first pro match against the Samsung Thunders and had 20 points and five assists.
Facing the Promy, the 23-year-old managed six points but during the first half he moved in and outside to create chances.
Especially, when he was benched in the third quarter, the Knights could not provide the brilliant plays, shown while Kim was playing during the first half, gaining only 12 points, the fewest in the four periods of the game.
Lee, who changed his nationality to Korean from American to join the draft, starred in the two games.
The forward had two double-digit score games, 21 and 23 points.
Lee, 27, stands 1.98 meters tall and also grabbed 16 rebounds in total to relieve the Orions, which have suffered a lack of low-post dominance.
Other than these two, KT& G Kites forward Yang Hee-jong, snared up at No. 3, center Ham Ji-hoon, selected 10th by the Ulsan Mobis, and guard Chung Young-sam, who is the BlackSlammers' No. 4 pick, have already locked up their starting spot and KTF MagicWings forward duo Park Sang-oh and Kim Young-hwan and KCC Egis guard Shin Myung-ho have impressed their bosses.
``As the current star players are getting older, each team will have to use rookies more than before. Through a shift of generations this season and next, the league will grow stronger, led by the younger players,'' said Choi.