“(Lee) Hyunjoong-ah, this is your chance to show off your skills to everyone.”
Davidson Lee Hyun-joong’s entry into the 2022 NCAA Round of 68 tournament is a climax of Korean basketball. The big stage debut of a young man who had a dream and challenged because it was Korean basketball, which had been stingy in overseas expansion, is receiving a lot of attention. Jeon Tae-poong, a 21-year-old senior at the NCAA Tournament, also left warm advice.
In a telephone interview with this magazine, Jeon Tae-poong said, “I was really happy to hear the news. That’s great. There is a big difference between NCAA conferences and national tournaments. Even in the United States, during this period, everyone only sees the March frenzy. If Hyunjoong shows a good performance in such a tournament, I think it is possible to advance to the NBA.”
Tae-Pung Jeon also participated in the NCAA Tournament in 2001 when he was a senior at Georgia Tech. However, they lost to St. Joseph in the first round and failed to advance to the second round. He played with 16 points and six assists, but his teammates didn’t help and he ultimately failed to fulfill his NBA early entry dream.
Jeon Tae-poong then and Lee Hyun-joong today are similar in many ways. That’s why he knew the importance of this NCAA tournament better than anyone else.
Jeon Tae-poong said, “It’s very different from competing in the NBA following completing four years of college and entering the draft even one year earlier. Hyunjoong knows this well. I also tried to make an early entry in 2001, but lost in the first round and had no choice but to attend for another year. I hope Hyunjoong can win this time and go to the NBA.”
However, the outlook is not bright. Davidson’s opponent is Michigan State, a traditional powerhouse. It is a team led by NCAA master coach Tom Lee Jo, and local evaluations also place Michigan State as ‘Top Dog’. Nevertheless, Jeon Typhoon delivered a message of hope.
“I don’t know if it was a multi-premise like the playoffs, but the NCAA tournament is a one-shot game. Everything is decided in one game. So Davidson has a chance. The same goes for Michigan State and the next opponent, Duke. NCAA tournaments are difficult to predict easily. There are many variations. That’s why it’s more fun.” The words of the Jeon Typhoon.
One issue is that Jeon Typhoon’s nephew, Jaden Atkins, is in Michigan State, where he faces Lee Hyun-joong. Atkins, a freshman at Michigan State, is not currently a major force, but is a six-man, averaging regarding 14 minutes per game. The former typhoon thought regarding who to cheer for in the match between his cherished brother and nephew.
Jeon Tae-poong said, “It’s really hard (laughs). To be honest, I hope Davidson wins and Hyunjoong does really well. He has to go to the NBA, so he has to. And since Jayden is still a freshman and there will be a lot of opportunities, I hope it will be a good experience for him. He should have played a lot instead. I had a hard time because I didn’t have a chance all season,” he said.
Finally, Tae-poong Jeon told Hyun-joong Lee, “Hyun-joong, show off your skills to the fullest on the big stage. It’s an opportunity to show you all the hard work and good things you’ve done all this time. let’s win Cheer up!” he sent a message of support.
Photo: Archyde.com/News 1, Georgia Tech website
