Park Ji-soo's one-man team is out. Super team is getting ready for Cheongju KB Plan AB...to be able to improve
Sep 07, 2025
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Cheongju KB Stars' challenge came to an end in the semifinals. However, KB Stars coach Kim Wan-soo and his players got more than 'numbers'.
KB lost 73 to 78 in the semifinals of the '2025 Park Shin-ja Cup' against Fujitsu (Japan) at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan on the 6th. At one point in the third quarter, it was heavily pushed by 33-54 and 21 points, but it showed a fierce background. He aimed for a huge upset at the end of the game. However, there was not enough time to turn the game around. He lost in the semifinals and ended his challenge to win the championship.
In fact, KB was not 'complete' in this competition. 'Ace'Park Ji-soo injured his shoulder at the FIBA Women's Basketball Asia Cup and is concentrating on rehabilitation. During the competition, Lee Chae-eun, Lee Yun-mi, and Na Yoon-jung were left due to injuries one after another. Nevertheless, he is the only Korean team to reach the semifinals. In the semifinals, he also showed his hindsight and drew praise from the enemy general. Fujitsu Kusaka Hikaru said, `I think we have to copy the Korean team as we see them do it without giving up. I think we should show it."
KB has had a grade of 'Rollercoaster' in recent years. Starting with No. 1 in the regular league in the 2021-2022 season, when head coach Kim took the helm of KB, he ranked 5th to 1st to 4th, respectively. There is a reason. This is because of the presence or absence of Park Ji-soo. Park Ji-soo is called the present and future of Korean women's basketball beyond KB. Park Ji-soo dominates the court with his overwhelming height (1m 96) and excellent basketball sense. But he also had a deadly season. In July 2022, Park Ji-soo collapsed. I left the court for a while because of a panic disorder. In the meantime, KB's performance also hit rock bottom. Fortunately, Park Ji-soo came back healthy. At the same time as Park Ji-soo joined, KB rose to the top again. However, Park Ji-soo moved to Galatasaray SK (Turkiye) in the 2024-2025 season, and KB was reeling once again. As such, KB seemed to stay in 'Park Ji-soo's one-man team'.
It's different this time. KB is preparing for the season fiercely by dividing it into Plan A and B when Park Ji-soo is present and not present. Director Kim said, `There is a difference in whether Park Ji-soo exists or not. It is said that the team will be better when the (Park) index returns. But I don't want anything from Jisoo right now. I don't want to put pressure on you. You have to raise your body step by step in a healthy state. I think we increase the options. Ji-Soo has strength under the basket. I think we should make it a plan B. Everyone is having fun playing basketball well now. We also need to think more about using the index.
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Director Kim said, `It would be helpful if the index came back. However, rather than such pressure, I want to look at the present and think about the future later. "I feel that the players are getting better with the competition. I think it will be better if we develop our current defense, attack, confidence, and will." Kang Yi-seul also "I think my age is in its heyday in women's basketball. Personally, it seems that the development has been slow. The more I played, the more I thought I could do this. I'm looking forward to it myself. We can increase it, we want to increase it more."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
