This article was published in the April 2023 issue of Basketball Korea Webzine. The interview for this article was conducted on 11 March 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (Link to purchase Basket Korea Webzine).
Lee started playing basketball late. He first picked up a basketball in September 2022, when he was in the sixth grade, but his progression has been remarkable. He gradually expanded his radius from the low post to the high post.먹튀검증
Lee’s development was the result of a thorough analysis. He identified his strengths and weaknesses and worked on them with personal training.
Lee was born in 2010 and his role model is Chae Chi-soo from the basketball comic strip Slam Dunk, which was first released in 1990. “I want to emulate Chae Chi-soo’s leadership in leading Beishan,” he said.
Please introduce yourself.
I’m 14-year-old Lee Seung-ho. I play for the Samsung Thunders youth team in Seoul.
How have you been doing lately?
I recently injured my ankle. I sprained it while playing basketball with my dad and neighbours, so I haven’t been able to play much, but I’ve been playing basketball in my neighbourhood, working out at the gym or at school, and going to clubs.
How did you start playing basketball?
I started playing basketball later than my peers. I started in September 2022. I grew a lot in the sixth grade of primary school. I grew taller and gained a lot of weight. I started playing basketball to lose weight.
Was the diet successful?
I didn’t lose a lot of weight, but I became more balanced.
What is your playing style?
In the past, I used to play mainly under the basket. Recently, I’ve been practising in the high post. I catch the ball in the high post and then pass and shoot mid-range jumpers. After receiving guidance from my coach, I did a lot of private practice.
Why did you expand your radius of activity?
My strength is playing under the basket, and I use my height well, but when I was only trying to shoot under the basket, it got boring. I wanted to do other things, and I got greedy for variety, so I started practising.
What kind of year was 2022 for you?
I learnt a lot, I got better, I played a lot of tournaments, and I learnt a lot from them. I came second twice and third once.
In the last one, I lost in the final, so I’ve improved a lot. It’s the last one before 2022, so it’s more fun and more enjoyable.
I’ve only been learning basketball for a short time, so it felt good to be runner-up. On the other hand, it also made me realise that I need to improve, because I felt I had a lot to work on.
I’m also curious about your role models.
Chae Chi-soo from Slam Dunk is my role model. She’s really good in the cartoon. She’s a centre, which is the same position as me, and her playing style is similar to mine. It’s an old cartoon, so the role of a centre is classic, but I like that. I also like Chae Chi-soo’s silent atmosphere, and I want to emulate her leadership of the team. I also watched the recent film The First Slam Dunk, so I think of Chae Chi-soo more.
Do you have a favourite athlete?
Lately, I like Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) because he’s so strong, and it’s cool that he can shoot a three-pointer from such a long distance and it still goes in.
What does basketball mean to Lee?
It’s the only way I can think of nothing for a while. When I was upset, I went out to the neighbourhood to play basketball, and when I played, I couldn’t think of anything. It relieved a lot of stress.
What goals do you have for the future?
I want to get taller and lose weight for the same reasons I started playing basketball, so I can have a nice body shape and be a happy person who is healthy and plays a lot of basketball. And when I grow up, I want to be a physical education instructor, just like my club coach who teaches me.