Hana Bank settled down as No. 1 in the WKBL Asian quarter, 5 clubs that reinforced their weaknesses
Jun 08, 2025
|
Low exclamation and loud voices surrounded the scene when Hana Bank coach Lee Sang-beom, who had the first overall pick in the '2025-2026 WKBL Asian Quarter Player Draft' held at the Olympic Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo, Japan on the 6th, called out Saki Iijima without any hesitation.
Lee Ji-ma was one of the main winning members who raised BNK Sum to the first top of women's professional basketball since its foundation last year. He was a typical 'Blue Walker' player who played a great role in offense and defense, scoring the same score as Altoran in the game, along with bad things such as defense and rebounding, but his 33-year-old age in 1992 was certainly a burden.
Hana Bank's unexpected choice of forward Lee Ijima card in the draft, when high-quality guards were present, which was initially expected to pick the most necessary position, the point guard, is Hana Bank's various paving stone ahead of next season. As a result, the overall pickup structure of subordinated clubs has changed, which is of course a significant 'butterfly effect'. On the day, 18 Japanese players were drafted, and 10 were selected by six clubs. Among them, three experienced players who played in the WKBL last year, including Iijima, Snagawa Natsuki (30, BNK), and Hirano Mitsuki (27, Shinhan Bank), were included. From the 2025-2026 season, Asian quarter players can renew their contracts, and up to two players can play together in the third quarter, which is expected to be a significant variable that will change the situation of the game.
|
Iijima was the oldest of 18 players to compete in the draft. After winning BNK last season, he considered retirement, but once again challenged the WKBL stage, which became the No. 1 overall pick.
Hana Bank, which was at the bottom of last season and is in the 'rebuilding' stage, rather than trying to win the championship right away, has reinforced a Japanese veteran player who will keep the team at the center along with veteran Kim Jong-un while continuing to grow young guards in Korea. It is difficult for Kim Jong-un, who delayed his retirement by a year to grow the team's young players and plays full-time in the final season, so Iijima can be said to be the role of carrying it together. Coach Lee Sang-beom also said, `I'm trying to pursue running basketball and pressure defense in the new season, and I thought Iijima was the best player. He also filled the vacancy when Kim Jong-un was not on the court, expressing expectations, saying, "I think the two players will play together in the fourth quarter of the game and create synergy."
Coincidentally, Lee Ijima, who received the winning ring from BNK at the site, said "I feel a little complicated." It's a shame that I have to meet BNK as an opposing team now, but I don't want to lose as a player. "I think they appreciated and expected the team's bad things, defense, and offense while watching my play last season. Since it is a team with a good center, I will help Hana Bank win the championship while making sure that the linked play is done well.'
|
Shinhan Bank, which has the second-ranked bank, has strengthened its center line for the second consecutive year following last year as expected.
However, he chose Mima Rui (26) of 1m85 instead of Miyuki Kawamura (31), a former member of the Japanese women's basketball team who was considered the top center. Mima is also an experienced player who has represented Japan's youth, actively participating in the fast attack by blocking the opponent Kawamura in a tryout practice game held earlier in the day.
Choi Yoon-ah, the new head coach of Shinhan Bank, said, `I didn't have much trouble because Mima was a better player for our team's plan than Kawamura.' Shinhan Bank selected guard Mitsuki, who played for Samsung Life Insurance last year, in the second round.
The third-ranked KB Stars chose point guard Sakai Sara (30). KB, which emerged as the strongest candidate in the 2025-2026 season due to center Park Ji-soo's comeback, has selected resources that can be used as a double guard while supporting main guard Huh Ye-eun. Sakai also showed a wide field of view, a sense of pass and a good shot in the practice game. KB coach Kim Wan-soo said, `He's actually a good player I've been watching for three years. We didn't expect to have a chance to pick, so we could choose right away," he said, expressing satisfaction. KB, along with Hana Bank, did not exercise its right to nominate in the second round and reinforced only one by one.
Shooting guard Nanami Seki (25), who scored 18 points including three 3-pointers in the practice game, was chosen by Woori Bank as the fourth most impressive player. However, Woori Bank coach Wi Sung-woo and coach Jeon Ju-won said in one voice, `The defense ability to block the opponent's attack one step first was impressive rather than Seki's attack ability" he said. While Woori Bank's team color, which plays from defense to defense, is expected to fit well, it is expected to significantly ease the offensive burden concentrated on Kim Dan-bi and Lee Min-ji.
Samsung Life Insurance, which was ranked fifth, naturally picked Kawamura, who was not selected by the previous teams, contrary to expectations. Samsung Life Insurance is expected to face Park Ji-soo and Song Yoon-ha, the double posts of the favorite KB, while building a double post that utilizes Kawamura, not reinforcing veteran center Bae Hye-yoon. In the second round, Samsung Life Insurance also picked guard Nanami Hamanishi (27).
BNK, which had the last six nominations in the first round due to its victory last season, selected power forward Rina Nakazawa (24), a mixed-race player, and guard Snagawa, a member of Woori Bank, last year as the No. 1 pick in the second round. With Nakazawa's joining, the winning members, Kim Sonia and Park Hye-jin, will take on their second consecutive challenge by somewhat reducing the burden of defense under the basket or the opponent's big man.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
