What were the orders from KT Rayshawn Hammonds and director Song Young-jin?
What were the orders from KT Rayshawn Hammonds and director Song Young-jin?
Blog Article
"You have to cross evenly between the base and the outside. And you have to be altruistic."
Suwon KT advanced to the championship game of the 2023-2024 season. It is the first time in 17 years since the 2006-2007 season. It also fought fiercely with Busan KCC in the championship game. Although it was the runner-up, it gave KT fans high expectations.
The reason why KT competed in the 2023-2024 championship game was because there was a top scorer called Paris Bath (200 centimeters, F). Bath, which has shown off its scoring ability since the regular season, has been nicknamed an "ecosystem disturbance" by fans. (Bath, which has the same name as Bath, is known to disrupt the ecosystem.)
Bath's power was even stronger in big games. In particular, the team scored an average of 27.6 points in both the semifinal and the semifinal playoffs. With 12.3 rebounds (aggressions of 5.2), the team is also consistent in height battles with big-man foreign players such as Gage Prim (Ulsan Hyundai Mobis) and Asem Maray (Changwon LG). 안전놀이터
Therefore, KT tried to catch Bath somehow. However, Bath is not left in Korea. It signed a contract with a Chinese CBA club (Zhejiang Golden Bulls) that offered him a better condition.
As a result, KT had to find a new one-choice foreign player. KT's new one-choice foreign player is Rayshawn Hammons (206 cm tall, F). He recorded 16.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in the 2023-2024 season in the Russian League, and is considered an all-around player type.
Immediately after signing with Hammons, KT coach Song Young-jin said, "I have seen him since last year. He is not as explosive as Bath, but he can play his role. Hammons' defense is also stable. It can ease the burden of Korean players having to cooperate."
Hammons, who has the balance of offense and defense, is currently training in Taiwan as a member of KT. Ha Yoon-ki (204 cm, C), Korea's key big man, has left the team due to an injury, but Hammons is keeping pace with KT players.
"I need to quickly build my perfect body to play. At the same time, I need to focus on the game. And I need to work with my teammates a lot," Hammons said, explaining the highlights of Taiwan's training camp.
He continued, "My strength is 'diversity'. The coach also ordered me to 'make sure that the bottom of the basket and the outside are evenly divided'. You have to be able to save your team members here. You have to play altruistically," he said, adding that he received orders from KT coach Song Young-jin.
As I mentioned earlier, KT is aiming to win the title. To do so, Hammons needs to win the competition against foreign players from other teams. It also needs to blend in well with the characteristics of KBL and KT.
Hammonds said, "The more I train with my team members, the more I understand what I have to do. But I have to increase my organizational power and talk more."
Lastly, he said, "I won three championships in my first season as a pro. I want to win this season as well. However, to win, it is difficult on my own. I have to work with my teammates." He emphasized the phrase "Win the Championship."