“Their Sons Are on Same Team”

KCC coach Heo Jae (42) and Xports commentator Kim Yoo-taik (44) were famous basketball stars in the past. They had been on the same teams for more than a decade and were at the top of their game; from Chung-Ang University to KIA Motors to the Korean National Team.

Now, their sons are on the same team. What a coincidence!

Mr. Heo’s second son, Heo Hoon (12), and Mr. Kim’s second son, Kim Jin-yeong (9), are on the same basketball team of Samgwang Elementary School. From last year, Heo Hoon has been a major player of the team. Recently, Kim Jin-yeong transferred to the same school to be a member of the basketball team.

The two little players are chips off the old block.

Guard Heo Hoon, already called ‘little Heo Jae,’ led his team to a victory in the 2007 National Youth Games in May 2007, becoming the MVP. He is a formidable dribbler and rarely lets opponents intercept his ball. Like his father Kim Yoo-taik (197cm), Jin-yeong is tall (146cm) for his age. Jin-yeong does not have a lot of experience, but his performance is improving rapidly.

Heo Hoon’s jersey number is 9 just like his father’s. Kim Jin-yeong’s number is 8. He says, “My father’s number was 14 but the number is already used by one of my school seniors. When he graduates, I will definitely take his number.”

Coach Park Min-jae of Samgwang Elementary School praised them, saying, “It seems like the genius for basketball runs in the family. The two boys are natural players and they are outgoing and have spirit.”

Heo Jae said “I hope they can learn the basic of basketball.”

The little talents sometimes learn directly from their respective fathers and they say, “I will do my best to become a better player than my dad was.”

kjs0123@donga.com