KBL stars to shine in All-Star Game

SK Knights guard Kim Sun-hyung

By Nam Hyun-woo

Seoul Student Gymnasium will be in the spotlight this weekend with the Korean Basketball League (KBL) All-Stars taking part in an exhibition game for fans.

The 2014-2015 KBL All-Star Game will be held from Jan. 10 to 11, with pre-game events taking place on the first day, and the game itself and a dunk contest held on the second day.

The governing body of the league promised that the weekend will be “big,” featuring various events that will entertain fans at the gym or in front of the TV. Both days' events will be televised by MBC SPORTS+ and KBS.

Players may have to give an even greater performance so that sensational girl group EXID doesn’t steal the show with their hit “Up & Down” during the half-time performance.

Here are some previews for this year's KBL All-Star Game.

Mobis Phoebus guard Yang Dong-geun

Team Korea vs. All-Stars

Unlike previous All-Star Games, more attention can be paid to Saturday's pre-game event.

The All-Stars team will take on the Incheon Asian Games gold medalists on Jan. 10. After a dramatic win against Iran in the final in October, Korea took the gold ― its first in 12 years.

On Saturday, all 12-members and coaches who completed the campaign will gather to help fans recall the glorious moment.

“It will be a special event. I feel so special because I was a member of the national team. I also look forward to seeing other teammates after several months,” said SK Knights guard Kim Sun-hyung. Mobis Phoebus guard Yang Dong-geun, who was also a member of the team, said “I'm so happy to play in the All-Star Game, which is a festival for basketball players.”

In Incheon, the Koreans beat Iran 79-77. They were five points behind their opponent with 2 minutes left in the final quarter. However they overturned the lead to 76-75 with a three-pointer by Yang and a two pointer with one free throw by Kim Jong-kyu and cemented the victory with consecutive free-throws.

Seniors vs. juniors

In the main game, the All-Stars will field two teams comprised of senior players (“Magic” team) and junior players (“Dream” team).

Yang, who captained Korea during the Incheon Asiad, will make his ninth All-Star game appearance for the Magic team. Except for the two seasons he was conscripted for military service, he was selected as an All-Star eight consecutive times having joined the 2004-2005 All-Star Game in his debut season. As one of the most talented guards in the KBL, he leads the league's average assists table with 5.52 assists per game this season.

Sharpshooter Cho Sung-min is also strong in exhibition games. The KT Sonic Boom guard scored double-digit totals in four straight All-Star Games out of the five he has appeared in. If Cho hits two more three-pointers for the Magic team on Sunday, he will have 18 in All-Star Games. This is the second highest number of three-pointers, following SK Knights head coach Moon Kyung-eun who hit a whopping 28.

SK Knights Kim Sun-hyung who will play for the Dream team, is dubbed “the man suited for the All-Star Game.” The 186-centimeter-tall guard enjoys fast basketball and knows how to steal and, occasionally dunk. He aims to be the MVP for the second consecutive season this year.

Poker-faced forward Troy Gillenwater, who is enjoying a successful KBL debut season with the Goyang Orions, will also appear for the Dream team. He leads KBL's scoring table with 22.35 points per game this season.

Dunk contest

KBL dunk leader Charles Rhodes of the KT Sonic Boom and reigning dunk contest champion Anthony Richardson of the Dongbu Promy will vie for the honor of the best dunker of this season.

The All-Star Game Dunk Contest will be held during the half-time of the All-Star Game, Sunday. Players will compete for the honor in two groups ― foreign players and Korean players. Along with Richardson and Rhodes, Leo Lyons of the Samsung Thunders and Charles Garcia of the Goyang Orions will compete in the foreigners' group.

In the Korean group, rookies Kim Jun-il of the Samsung Thunders and Jeong Hyo-geun of the Incheon ET-Land Elephants will show off their skills. Defending champion in the group, Lee Seung-jun, will miss the contest due to injury.