'Even if I fail, I’ll take my shot': KCC’s Choi sets sights on NBA
Former KBL MVP Choi Jun-yong will head to the United States in August to finish his rehabilitation from knee surgery and pursue a roster spot in the developmental G League.
Choi Jun-yong, a key member of Busan KCC’s championship teams, announces his plans to pursue a career in the United States during a press conference at Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, on July 29.YONHAP
Korea national basketball team forward Choi Jun-yong of the Busan KCC Egis is leaping into the unknown. After establishing himself as one of the KBL’s top players, and now in his 30s, he has set his sights on the NBA.
Choi announced his plans to pursue a career in the United States at a press conference at Conrad Seoul on Wednesday. Having recently undergone knee surgery, he plans to travel to the United States in early August to complete his rehabilitation, and then seek a spot in the NBA G League later in themonth.
Selected second overall in the 2016 KBL draft, Choi has averaged 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists over a career spanning 329 regular-season games. He was named the Korean league’s regular-season MVP for the 2021-22 season and has won two titles since joining KCC.
“The phrase ‘Let’s go to the NBA,’ which I wrote in my diary as an elementary school student, has always stayed with me,” Choi said. “I won championships and made plenty of money, but as I had more to lose, I did not dare to let it go. But I decided that if I did not take this chance now, I might never get another one.”
He also left the door open to representing Korea at the Asian Games in September.
“If I am called up, I would be willing to play in the Asian Games,” he said. “Training in the United States should put me in even better shape, and I think I could become a player the national team needs.”
Choi turned down interest from Japan’s B.League to pursue an opportunity in the United States, which not only originated and popularized the sport but whose league, the NBA, is home to the world's best players.
Choi Jun-yong, a key member of Busan KCC’s championship teams, poses for a photo after announcing his plans to pursue a career in the United States during a press conference at Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, on July 29.YONHAP
“Even if I won a championship and an MVP award in the B.League, I think I would still regret giving up on the [United States],” Choi said. “My dream, in the end, was to compete on the biggest stage and test myself in the country where basketball is played best.”
With a broad smile, Choi said his dream is to return wearing an NBA uniform after signing a contract worth around 30 billion won ($20.7 million).
“I’m really going,” he said. “I’ll push myself to the limit and come back having failed spectacularly, in true Choi Jun-yong fashion. Please don’t try to stop me.”
BY SONG JI-HOON [kim.hayoon1@joongang.co.kr]
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
