Come See Women Making Dunk Shots

Dunk shot, no longer the sole "property" of male athletes.

On January 3rd, next year, the Winner League of Women`s Pro Basketball will start. Many star players of the WNBA, a women`s pro league in US, will play in the Korean league, wearing the uniforms of Korean teams. The US players will demonstrate dunk shots, and will expectedly boost up the popularity of the women`s pro games among fans.

Above all, Michelle Snow (196cm) joined KB Bank. She graduated from University of Tennessee this year, and has the flexibility that enables her making two-hand dunks like her male counterparts. When she first joined the team-training last week, she slammed a dunk and earned the praise of her teammates.

At first, KB`s coach Chong Tae-gyun tried talking her out of making dunk shots. Now, he is smiling out of joy. He said confidently, "I`ve never seen a female player making a dunk shot. In the upcoming season, fans will enjoy the refreshing dunk shots. You can count on it."

Another KB player Hallscrow (188cm) came also from the WNBA. This season, she recorded most points and rebounds. She said, "I first made dunk shots when I was 13. Ready to do that whenever fans want me to do."

Samsung`s Crawly (196cm) should not be counted out. In a game with a high school team consisting of male players, she shot the balls into the basket with one hand whenever opportunities were given, thrilling Samsung`s coach Park In-gyu.

Her dunk shots are already well known in the United States. In the All-star Game of the ABL, a predecessor to the WNBA, she blinded herself with a fold and still made dunk shots.

Kumho`s Tiffany Johnson (193cm) would not stand behind when it comes to dunking. Her gigantic statue (709kg) has earned her a nickname "Miss O`Neal" after LA Lakers Shaquill O`Neal in the NBA.

The WNBA, which got off to a start in 1997, first watched its female player making a dunk shot on July 31st, this year. It was made by LA Sparks` center Lisa (195cm). Korean fans, whoever, have not had the opportunity to watch a female athlete slamming a dunk shot into the basket. Thus, everyone is holding breath, waiting for the first dunk shot in the upcoming season.

The winner season, in which 6 teams participate, consists of 4 rounds. Each team has 20 games, and the playoff will start on March 3, 2003.

Chang Jeon jeon@donga.com