Bang Sung-yoon Is Drafted by the U.S. NBDL

Bang Sung-yoon, a 22-year-old Yonsei University’s basketball forward, has joined the National Basketball Development League (NBDL).

In the November 6 rookie draft of the NBDL in Atlanta, Georgia, Bang was chosen by the Roanoke Dazzle as a second draft pick in the fourth round.

Bang is the second Korean basketball player to play in the United States after Ha Seung-jin, a 19-year-old center at Yonsei University, was drafted to play in the States. Ha was drafted by the Portland Blazers and is now playing with the Portland Reign, another minor league basketball team in the American Basketball Association (ABA)..

The National Basketball Development League is the only minor league directly operated by the National Basketball Association (NBA), and is a springboard for young players to advance to the NBA. The NBDL comprises six teams, and its 2004-2005 season will begin on November 20 and end next April.

It is the second time for a South Korean basketballer to play in a regular league in the United States. Ha Seung-jin, a 19-year-old towering center, was drafted by the Portland Blazers and is now with the Portland Reign of the American Basketball Association (ABA), another minor league of the NBA.

Consisting of six teams, the NBDL is a minor league of the NBA, and 28 players have been promoted since its inaugural year 2001.

Chang Jeon jeon@donga.com