Byun So-jeong (21, 180cm), who suddenly moved to BNK, expressed her lackluster ambition.
Busan BNK Thumb and Incheon Shinhan Bank made a trade on the 25th. Jihyun Shin, who was nominated by BNK as a compensation player for Jinan (Hana One Q), headed to Shinhan Bank, and Park Sung-jin, who was Sonia’s compensation player, went back to BNK. On top of that, Byun So-jeong, a promising forward that Shinhan Bank cherished, also moved to BNK. It was a trade made because the needs of both teams met.
In a telephone interview with this newspaper on Saturday, Byun said, “I’ve heard a lot from people around me. Are you going to another team?” But he didn’t pay much attention. I didn’t think much about it and got a call from Coach Gunathan that I was traded. He was flustered when I showed a calm response. People who would be disappointed would be disappointed, or I don’t think so. So, when I heard the news, I was fine,” leaving a calm trade impression.
Byun So-jeong wore a Shinhan Bank uniform as the third choice in the first round of the 2021-2022 WKBL recruitment competition. At that time, she was called BIG3 along with Lee Hae-ran (Samsung Life Insurance) and Park So-hee (Hanawon Q), drawing a lot of attention. Ahead of the last season, coach Gunathan painstakingly developed it, but suffered a regrettable injury in the first game when his anterior cruciate ligament ruptured. After the end of the season, he was traded to BNK and ended his career at Shinhan Bank unfortunately.
“I learned so much from Shinhan Bank. I got along well with my sisters. I received opportunities when I was a rookie. I think this trade will become an issue because I had high expectations. Thank you to the front desk, coaches, managers, instructors and all the other members who played with me. I will never forget how grateful I am even when I go to BNK.”
“I was injured in the first game of last season, so I thought, ‘Wouldn’t I have been traded if I hadn’t been hurt?'” he continued. But even thinking about it, I’m already hurt and in rehabilitation. Shinhan Bank needed an immediate player. There is no guarantee that I can play right away in the new season. Coach Gunathan has one year left on his contract, and a lot of his sisters moved. So I was worried that I might come back too quickly and get worse. However, BNK has a thick talent pool, so I think he will be able to come back after rehabilitation.”
Currently, Byun is constantly undergoing rehabilitation. Now he is in good physical condition, and he is said to be able to run or jump. He will unlikely be able to play in the opening game of the new season, but he is expected to join his team by the middle of the season 메이저놀이터.
“When I first got hurt, I lost more than 10 kilograms. People around me said I looked depressed. I thought I didn’t, but looking back, I think it’s right. People often say you get hurt when you’re in too good a physical condition, but that’s exactly what happened to me. I should have been careful, but I didn’t know well because I was young. Still, I am satisfied with the fact that my sisters told me that they prepared hard during the offseason in the game. Now I can do sports that I run. Personally, I want to rehabilitate more slowly and stably. I limped in the beginning, but now I’m okay. I gained a lot of muscles. I don’t have pain either.” Byun said.
BNK successfully reinforced its power by simultaneously recruiting Park Hye-jin and Kim Sonia from the FA (free agent) market this year. On top of that, it also renewed its contract with Ahn and protected Park Sung-jin, who almost moved to compensation. If Byun returns healthy after rehabilitation, he will be able to build a stronger team.
Byun said, “I think it’s too early to say that I will play hard with my sisters in BNK because I am in rehabilitation right now. I want to make sure I get rehabilitation first and then join the team. Above all, I want to make Shinhan regret letting me go. Wasn’t everyone surprised when they traded me? I think there must be a reason. I will make you regret.”
