Seoul Samsung finished the 2023-2024 season at the bottom (14 wins and 40 losses). Coach Eun Hee-seok, who took the helm from the 2022-2023 season, voluntarily resigned due to his poor performance. Acting coach Kim Hyo-beom had to finish the 2023-2024 season.
However, Samsung showed its potential at the end of the 2023-2024 season. Lee Jung-hyun (189 cm, G), the team’s oldest player and captain, showed the class, while Shin Dong-hyuk (193 cm, F), one of the most promising future resources, showed the potential for development.
As mentioned earlier, Samsung did not have a good beginning of the 2023-2024 season. The coach who was in charge of the team also had to pack. Lee Jung-hyun, the captain of the team, also felt uncomfortable.
In addition, Kim Si-rae (178 cm, G), her backcourt partner, was out for the season. So Lee settled down even stronger. First of all, she created synergy with Kofi Coburn (210 cm, C), an absolute option in the team. At the same time, she created chances for young players somehow.
And he showed his class in his last showdown with Ulsan Hyundai Mobis on March 18. In addition to 3 points to extra time, he scored the final 3 points in extra time. In 39 minutes and 53 seconds, he scored 26 points (3 points: 3/8) 7 assists and 3 rebounds. He put a damper on Hyundai Mobis, which confirmed its advance to the playoffs. In addition, Lee Jung-hyun’s last 3-point shot was ranked 2023-2024 “PLAY OF THE SEASON.”
Shin Dong-hyuk is a forward who is good at defense and three points. In the beginning of the so-called 3&D season, he could not overcome the difference between professional and university, but gradually he became involved in Samsung and the KBL. He gained confidence from it. In particular, his three-point shooting success rate (about 44.9 percent, 1.0/2.2 per game) during the 2022-2023 season ranked first among all KBL players. He performed as the future of Samsung’s external resources.
Therefore, expectations were still high for him. In addition, he was given more playing time than his debut season. Although he did not play all of the regular league games like in the 2022-2023 season, he did his part in playing time.
Also, when Samsung was on the rise in the second half of the season, there were many games where Shin tied the knot. It means that he scored when the team needed him. If he continues that confidence, he could take a bigger role in the 2024-2025 season. Furthermore, he could become Samsung’s present.