Founded in 2019, BNK Some in Busan has always stayed in the lower ranks. He stepped on the playoff stage for the first time in the 2021-2022 season, but was eliminated due to two consecutive losses to Cheongju KB Stars. However, BNK’s blast this season is not unusual. With 6 consecutive victories, he once became a solo player, and is promoting in 3rd place (9 wins and 6 losses). At the center is Lee So-hee. Lee So-hee is showing off her scoring power with an average of 17.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Her bright smile is beautiful, and her jump ball captures the story of her Lee So-hee. ※ This interview was conducted on December 21st, and the record of the article is also based on December 21st.

※This article was published in the January issue of Jump Ball, a basketball magazine.

Q. Since BNK was founded this season, it is ranked highest. How would you feel if you looked back on the season so far?
When I was in the bottom ranks, I thought a lot, ‘Why is only our team like this?’ There were also teams that were below us, but it was a bit selfish. I feel very grateful when my grades go up. I am also satisfied with my individual performance, so I think I am having a good season.

Q. How does it feel to be at the top of the leaderboard?
I didn’t realize it at first (laughs). To be honest, I still don’t feel it. I just think I’m thinking of working harder.

Q. What do you think is the secret to BNK’s ranking at the top?
(Kim) I think it is the leadership of Hanbyeol unnie. Her sister tries to communicate a lot with us. She also speaks a lot of Korean. I thought he was only using English, but since I couldn’t understand him, he spoke Korean (laughs). And Director Park Jeong-eun’s leadership is really great. He cares about the players a lot. Coach Byun Yeon-ha was a shooter representing WKBL when he was a player, and he teaches me a lot. Coach Kim Young-hwa also said that when the game is not going well, he says a lot of good things, but I think he is at the top thanks to several factors.

Q. There was an expectation that Lee So-hee’s stats would drop with the arrival of Kim Han-byul, but it seems to be creating good synergy. 메이저놀이터
The sister’s weakness that everyone knows is that she’s slow, right? Most of the teams played the backcourt quickly or tried to cut in one count a lot when playing against our team. Still, when the early offense doesn’t go well, unnie plays the role of the trailer really well. Then her attacks become more varied. Also, I think her plus factor is more because her older sister’s arms are really long, so they hold her rebound well.

Q. Isn’t it a strength that you’ve been working with key members such as Ahn Hye-ji and Jin An for a long time?
I totally admit it. It’s been quite a while since I played games with my sisters. I think I’m getting more and more right now. Especially (Ann) Hyeji and her older sister have things in common. Even now, we talk a lot on a regular basis.

Q. Not only team performance, but also individual records are great. What is the driving force behind your growth every season?
Greed is the driving force. Personally, the hardest time for me is when the fans see my game and are disappointed. Of course, I am the most frustrated, but thinking that the fans will be disappointed makes me more motivated. That’s why I always play games with the thought of ‘don’t disappoint the people who believe in me and think about me’.

Q. It seems that your attack skills are improving with each season?
I try to watch as many basketball games as possible. And when I was in Inseong Girls’ High School, teacher Ahn Cheol-ho made me practice dribbling a lot. Because I’m out of my body, other friends are always there, but I’m the only one who can’t. I practiced a lot while looking at myself in front of the mirror at the Inseong Girls’ High School gymnasium. In fact, since I became a pro, I focused on shooting practice, so I think the efforts I made back then are seeing the light now.

“What if I get pushed out of my physical condition? Use your head!”
One of the reasons Lee So-hee was able to step up this season was her experience on the international stage. In February, she was named in the final preliminary list for the 2022 FIBA ​​Women’s Basketball World Cup, and Lee So-hee, who was selected for the first time in the adult national team, made it to the World Cup finals in September. She was not given a lot of playing time due to being pushed by prominent seniors, but she was able to grow by facing the world’s best players in person.

Q. How did she feel when she was selected for the senior national team for the first time?
I was really surprised. Actually, I thought she was far from me, so she didn’t even know the schedule of the national team at the time. But when she heard the words, ‘Sohee, you are going to the national team’, I remember replying, ‘Yes, me?’ At that time, she was in good condition, so I was very grateful.

Q. How is the training atmosphere of the national team?
I really like it. The captain was (Kim) Danbi (Woori Bank) older sister, and she trained really hard and took care of her juniors a lot. (Park) Hyejin (Woori Bank) Her sister also helped her by her side, so her mood went up. In my team, I played regularly, but in the national team, I spent more time sitting on the bench, right? That’s why I felt a lot while watching the game.