In Kim Jin-young’s (26, 177cm) head, there was only Shinhan Bank.
Incheon Shinhan Bank succeeded in cracking down on internal FA. Early on, he signed a contract with veteran Lee Kyung-eun, and also signed a new contract with Kim Jin-young for a total of 240 million won (200 million won in annual salary and 40 million won in allowances) over a three-year contract period.
Kim Jin-young said, “I came to Japan with his older brother. He eats a lot because there are so many delicious things (laughs). Before he went to Japan, he exercised and received skill training. There are parts that he can learn in detail, so he plans to learn more when he returns to Korea,” he said.
Kim Jin-young, who joined Cheongju KB Stars in second place in the 2015 WKBL New Player Selection, played for Busan BNK Some from the 2019-2020 season to the 2021-2022 season. As Han Eom-ji transferred to BNK as a free agent ahead of last season, Kim Jin-young wore a Shinhan Bank uniform.
Last season, Kim Jin-young played an average of 32 minutes and 9 seconds in 30 games, recording 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals. It was like he was in his prime when he was in the 3rd team. The average score of the previous season was 8.7 points. Thanks to Jinyoung Kim and Sonia Kim’s performance, Shinhan Bank succeeded in advancing to the playoffs.
Kim Jin-young, who became a free agent and received love calls from other teams, said, “I thought (remaining) was natural. His coach’s basketball philosophy matched well, and he was very grateful to Shinhan Bank. He also has a lot of things he can do with my play style. It was a decision I made just by watching basketball. He didn’t think about moving the team,” he said.
Shinhan Bank finished the regular season in 4th place last season. It was 1 game behind 2nd place BNK and 16 wins and 14 losses with 3rd place Yongin Samsung Life Insurance, but was pushed back to 4th place due to the opponent record. Kim Jin-young is left with more regret because the ride was not great.
Kim Jin-young said, “There were things that fit well, but there were a lot of regrets. It wasn’t long before the season was in sync. He showed a better performance and he could have had good results because his rides in 2nd, 3rd and 4th places were not great, but he did not take a chance. I have to follow my luck, but I want to go higher together at Shinhan Bank.” ㅋㅋㅋ벳
Last offseason, Kim Jin-young was selected for the Korean women’s basketball team and participated in the 2022 Australia FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Women’s Basketball World Cup. She transferred to Shinhan Bank, but she couldn’t join the team right away. She also had her first season after transferring to Shinhan Bank, she was Sonia Kim, and her beads were also not easy to match her hands and feet. Her new season is a chance to get it right from the offseason.
Last season, Kim Jin-young was the first to come to the gym and the last to enter during games or team training. She said Kim Jin-young said, “I did have a lot of exercise. The more she plays basketball, the harder she wants to work. She thinks more about basketball and when she opens her eyes, she has a lot to practice. She has so much to practice (laughs). She will be busier in the future,” she laughs.