Rookie Shows Off 3-Point Skills

Etland was 10 points behind, 70-80, as they were about to enter the fourth quarter.

With a minute and 21 seconds into the quarter, Jeon Jeong-kyu scored a three-point shot. After a minute, Jeon hit another three-pointer. Then Jung Sun-kyu scored another. Etland equalized the game 82-82 and finally reversed it to their favor with Kimani Friend’s dunk shot, free throws, a middle-range shot, and Jung’s foul shots.

In an away game held on December 17 in Daegu, the Etland Blackslamers enjoyed a miraculous 101-99 come-from-behind victory over the Daegu Orions. In the fourth quarter alone, Jeon had 12 points and Kimani had 13, subduing the Orions.

Rookie Jeon Jeong-kyu played the leading role in this drama. Jeon scored 35 points, scoring seven of his 12 three-point shots. Jeon replaced not only his personal record of the most scores in a game, but also that of all the rookies playing in this season. The previous record was made by Lee Hyun-min (LG), who had scored 22.

After graduating Yonsei University, Jeon joined the pro league, being nominated first in the season’s rookie draft. But he has been overshadowed by Lee Hyun-min, who was nominated third in the same draft. His scores on average up until early November were a mere 4.3. However, adapting himself steadily to the pro game, he has proven that he deserved the first nomination and that he is the top-rated candidate for the Rookie of the Year award.

Meanwhile, KTF defeated SK 93-78 at Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium to replace the team top in the standings, which was previously Ulsan Mobis. Three players of KTF, Shin Ki-sung (15 points, 11 assists, five rebounds), Aaron McGhee (18 points, 10 rebounds), and Philip Ricci (16 points, 11 rebounds, five assists), recorded double-doubles.

jaeyuna@donga.com