Jo Woo-sung’s surprise performance played a decisive role in Samsung’s escape from losing streak.
Seoul Samsung Thunders beat Jeonju KCC Egis 87-72 in the 3rd round of the 2022-2023 SKT Adot Professional Basketball regular league held at Jeonju Gymnasium on the 17th. Samsung and KCC tied for 7th with 9 wins and 13 losses.
Jo Woo-sung recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, running for 25 minutes and 10 seconds that day. It is the most individual rebound and the most scoring tie since his professional debut. The double-double was the first written in his pro.
The interview with Suhun was also his first since his debut. After the game, Jo Woo-sung also conducted a broadcast interview, and was selected as a distinguished player and entered the interview room with team senior Lee Jung-hyun.
Cho Woo-sung, who was new to everything and was unfamiliar with it, could not readily answer the reporters’ common question, and asked, “Are you talking about me?”
Jo Woo-sung said, “I’ve never imagined an interview in a pro. During the broadcast interview, Commissioner Jung Young-sam looked at me favorably, so I seemed blank even when he asked me a lot of questions. I think I thought, ‘What are you replying to?’, but I felt good. The team I was in a losing streak and it was difficult with many injured players, but like the coach said, I was able to win by doing the basics. It was really good to break the losing streak, and I am grateful that I did the basic things.”
Samsung’s opponent that day, KCC, is a team with Lee Seung-hyun and La Gun-ah. As a big man representing the league, they are players who have played an active part in KBL as well as the national team. Naturally, KCC expected an effective attack against Cho Woo-sung.
However, KCC’s expectations were not met. In addition to a double-double, Jo Woo-sung also recorded an assist, a steal, and a block shot, performing like Altoran. With an active physical fight, he endured from the inside and contributed greatly to Samsung’s escape from losing streak.
Jo Woo-seong said, “The players who were matchup opponents were great players, but there was no particular burden. The coach, (Lee) Jung Hyun-hyung, and (Kim) Shi-rae hyung advised me not to try to do something I didn’t normally do, but to focus on what I was good at. Opponent (Lee) Seung-hyun tried to prevent things that each player was good at, including his brother’s middle shot.”
On this day, Jo Woo-sung’s performance was also appreciated by Samsung coach Eun Hee-seok and captain Lee Jung-hyun.
Director Eun Hee-seok said, “Cho Woo-sung prepared really hard in the off-season,” and praised his performance that day as “the fruit of his efforts.” At the same time, he expressed his expectation, saying, “I hope that his performance will continue to be a stepping stone for further growth, not just a one-off.” 메이저사이트
The same goes for Lee Jung-hyun. Lee Jung-hyun said, “I have improved my movement compared to last year, and I am taller and stronger. I shoot well. I showed my strengths today. I have nothing to lose yet, so I hope to face it more confidently. Next Hyundai Mobis match Esau said, “I want him to do the same against (Gage) Prim as he did today.”
On this day, Lee Jung-hyun, who scored 30 points in a long time, said, “I think Jo Woo-sung’s double-double is worth more than my 30 points. So, I hope I do well consistently. Double-double is something I have never done before.”
Jo Woo-sung said, “I first learned about the double-double during a broadcast interview. Rather than just liking it, I think that good results came out by following the coach’s words. I regret that I was able to,” he said, promising to do better.