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KCC's Choi Jun-yong: 'Challenging the NBA Stage is a Childhood Dream'
🇰🇷 South Korea /Sports

KCC's Choi Jun-yong: 'Challenging the NBA Stage is a Childhood Dream'

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • South Korean basketball star Choi Jun-yong is pursuing a dream to play in the NBA.
  • He announced his decision at a press conference, stating it's a childhood ambition.
  • Choi expressed a desire to test his skills in an environment where he is unknown.

Choi Jun-yong, a star player in South Korean professional basketball, has officially declared his intention to pursue a career in the NBA. The announcement came during a press conference held in Seoul, where the KCC Eagles player shared his long-held ambition.

I am going to challenge myself in the American league. It's a dream I've held since elementary school, and until now, it was just a dream.

— Choi Jun-yongExplaining his decision to pursue an NBA career at a press conference.

"I am going to challenge myself in the American league," Choi stated. "It's a dream I've held since elementary school, and until now, it was just a dream." He explained that while winning championships in Korea was rewarding, a sense of lingering regret pushed him to chase this ultimate goal.

Choi emphasized the urgency of his decision, feeling that "if not now, then never." He desires to compete in a place where he is not recognized, allowing his basketball abilities to speak for themselves. "I want to see how far I can go with my skills," he added, likening his endeavor to the "impossible challenges" seen in the movie 'Hustle,' describing it as a "head-on challenge from scratch."

If not now, then never.

— Choi Jun-yongExpressing the urgency he feels to pursue his NBA dream.

His pursuit of overseas opportunities was communicated to KCC upon signing a free-agent contract after the 2022-2023 season. Following his team's championship victory in the 2024 Korean Basketball League finals, Choi began actively exploring international options.

I want to see how far I can go with my skills. I will challenge myself with the feeling of heading into it from scratch.

— Choi Jun-yongDescribing his motivation and approach to challenging himself in the NBA.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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