[Basketball] Point Guard Rises to Occasion vs. Samsung

Ahead of a game against the Seoul Samsung Thunders Wednesday, Wonju Dongbu Promy Coach Chun Chang-jin expressed high expectations for point guard Lee Kwang-jae.

Lee did not disappoint, leading his team to victory in the longest game in the history of the Korean Basketball League over the Seoul Samsung Thunders.

He scored nine points in the first quarter en route to a career-high 30 points in the game that needed five overtimes to settle.

Dongbu broke a three-game losing streak to Samsung in the 135-132 win.

Lee holds a unique affinity for Samsung. His father played center for Samsung before suffering a stroke, with Chun, a close teammate.

Basketball has dominated Lee’s family. His sister Yoo-jin plays for Samsung Bichumi in the Women’s Korean Basketball League. His mother also played guard for the national team.

Lee has demonstrated composure and confidence in games versus Samsung. In last year’s league finals, he led Dongbu to the title with a bold offense and impregnable defense.

Earlier this season, he exhibited strong confidence against Samsung but Dongbu lost three straight to the Thunders.

To restore his pride and reputation, he is known to have undergone hard training and studied Samsung’s players through meetings with coaching staff and video analysis.

In Wednesday’s record-breaking game, the point guard hounded Samsung guard Lee Sang-min, blocking every pass. Lee Kwang-jae also contained Samsung guard Kang Hyeok from penetrating on Kang’s favored right side.

Lee Kwang-jae’s tenacious defense also shut down Samsung guard Lee Jeong-seok, who attended the same high school as Lee Kwang-jae and is known for his penetration and scoring.

“Since I played for Yonsei University, I feel I must perform well whenever I compete with Samsung, for which my father once played. I really want to win the remaining two games against Samsung,” Lee Kwang-jae said.

kjs0123@donga.com