Seo Jang-hoon Chooses KCC

Seo Jang-hoon (33), the biggest splash in this year’s “Aircon-league,” will be wearing a KCC uniform.

Seo, who failed to renew his contract with his former team the Samsung Thunders and became a free agent, signed a four-year, 400 million won deal with KCC Egis on May 27 at the KBL Center in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu. The salary is equal to that proposed by Samsung, but the contract period is one year longer. After Seo became a free agent, the Electro Land Black Slammers proposed a four-year, 560 million won salary, while the Mobis Phoebus put up four years with a 450 million won salary. However, Seo chose KCC, saying that they are, “A team I want to play with.”

KCC also signed on Lim Jae-hyun, former guard for the SK Knights, for five years and 281 million won.

KCC, who had suffered the disgrace of ranking last the previous season, is now set to recover face with Seo, the biggest free agent, and Lim, who is no small fish himself.

In his press conference after signing the contract, Seo said, “I thank KCC for selecting me. I think this is where I will be able to end my career with a bang. I will try to remember what I was like when I was a freshman in college, and go back to the mindset I had then. I know people have been talking about my attitude or image, and I think KCC will allow me to give myself a better image.” Seo also gave his reason for selecting KCC by saying, “I’ve always wanted to play with (Lee) Sang-min and (Choo) Seung-kyun, and also for Coach Hur Jae.”

KCC had prepared for the addition of Seo to their team by cutting some space under the salary cap when team leader Lee Sang-min (35) agreed to cut his salary by 120 million won. While attending Yonsei University, Seo had shown great teamwork with Lee, and the two had led Yonsei to rule the university basketball scene.

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