By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
The KCC Egis and the Dongbu Promy are assumed to be next season's biggest contenders after adding height in their new foreign players.
In the Korean Basketball League (KBL) foreign player draft in Las Vegas last Sunday, the three-time winner Egis, ranked at the bottom of the standings for the first time last season, selected center Brandon Crump with the third pick to form the league's best double-post with new free agent signing Seo Jang-hoon, who stands 2.07 meters tall. The Dongbu Promy picked center Reggie Okosa at No. 2 to solidify their inside along with 2.05-meter forward Kim Joo-sung.
In the relatively less-competitive draft, which did not permit high-profile players to try out to prevent salaries from skyrocketing due to under-the-table deals, each team made efforts to find players who fit their playing styles.
Egis' first round pick Crump, 2.05 meters and former Tennessee Volunteer, topped the Chinese Basketball League in rebounds with 14.4 last season and ranked fourth in scoring with 27.4.
The 24-year old was considered the top pick during the three-day tryout and is expected to focus on defense by his team which was plagued by its poor import players last season.
``Although we need to watch how well they will adjust to Korean basketball, I am satisfied with this year's draft picks,'' said head coach Hur Jae.
``As Seo is an offense-oriented center, we chose Crump, hoping he will be a strong defensive player.''
The Egis also chose guard Jason Robinson with the 18th pick.
The 1.93-meter Robinson, out of Pikeville college, will join point guard Lim Jae-hyun and veteran swingman Choo Seung-gyun to establish the strong front line.
Like the Egis, the two-time league champion Promy formed a defensive twin towers with the selection of Nigerian-born Okosa, 2.04 meters tall.
Okosa had played in the Chinese and German leagues before signing with the Wonju-base team.
Offensive-minded guard Willie Farley also went to the Promy as the 19th pick.
``Okosa is more competitive in defense and rebounds than offense and Farley is a player who has scoring skills,'' said head coach Chun Chang-jin.
If Kim, who the Toronto Raptors showed an interest in, is well harmonized with the new foreign players and current members play up to their skills, the Promy will be able to seek their third title.
The ET Land Black Slammers selected forward Terrence Shannon Sr. with the top pick against speculation of them taking a big man.
The allrounder is considered to be the ``next Chris Williams,'' who led the Ulsan Mobis to the league champion.
He played in the NBA Development League and the strong Argentine and Spanish leagues.
Along with Shannon and center Mohamed Woni, the Black Slammers improved the player depth by adding Lee Han-kwon and Lee Hong-soo in the free agent market to brighten their chances next season.
The defending champion Mobis will face a tough season.
They were assigned to the No. 9 pick in the draft and MVPs Yang Dong-geun and forward Kim Dong-woo will not play due to military service.