Ha Seung-jin Endures Hard Training in America for NBA

[sunsfn]

Ha Seung-jin Endures Hard Training in America for NBA

FEBRUARY 11, 2004 23:35
by Jong-Seok Kim ([email protected])

“Since I have a dream, I will endure any sufferings.”

The tallest center in Korean basketball, 19-year-old Ha Seung-jin (2m 23cm tall) seemed more mature when he was interviewed at the graduation ceremony of Samil commercial high school, Suwon, Kyounggi on February 11. He participated in the ceremony, returning to Korea in 2 months after he left for America with the dream of NBA on last December 7. Ha confessed that the last two months were the toughest training moments in his basketball career.


“My mouth was burning after training. I waited for the free-throw exercise session to take a rest.”


Holding his training camp in Santa Monica near Los Angeles through his agency, SFX, Ha has gone through an intensive training program in the mornings supervised by coaches such as former NBA player Will Perdue and two coaches from UCLA. He learned the steps for playing center again, how to take body checks, and ball handling instruction to develop his basketball to a better level.


“I was impressed by the advice that I should keep the ball over my chin to prevent it from being stolen by a short player.”


He made efforts to build up the strength of his weakness through strong weight training in the afternoons. The famous and beautiful Santa Monica Beach was like a hell to him. “Sometimes I felt like diving into the sea when I ran over an hour on the beach where my calves were caught in the sand.” He also practiced yoga to balance his body.


Owing to systematic training, Ha maintained his weight of 145kg, but also gained solid muscle. Now he has no problem putting pressure on his surgically repaired left knee. “The speed of my weak point also will be improved if my physical strength stands. Nowadays I am not exhausted even if I play for long.”


Being awarded for his contributions to his school in his graduation ceremony, Ha will leave Korea next week to prepare for NBA draft in June.

http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=070000&biid=2004021232498

Ha Seung-Jin 7-3 300 C (South Korea) 1985 is ranked 22nd at nba draft.

 

[slinslin]

7'3 korean player with surgically repaired knee. Great...

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by slinslin
7'3 korean player with surgically repaired knee. Great...

nbadraft.net has lowered his ranking to #22 from mid teens before. He might be a good pickup at that level or lower, but not earlier because of the injury risk and absence of quality competition.

nbadraft.net

Ha Seung-Jin
Birthdate: 8/4/85
NBA Position: Center
Class: HS Senior
Ht: 7-3
Wt: 305
Hometown: Seoul, Korea
High School: Yongesi University


NBA Comparison:

Ha Sueng-Jin has Yao Ming like qualities, with enormous size, good dexterity and composure. His touch on his shot is good, making Ha another Asian bigman sensation. Plus he has the quickness and size to be a shot blocker and a defensive presence. Ha will be able to break new ground as the first Korean player to ever play in the NBA. Ha has stated that he will declare for the 2004 NBA draft. One very encouraging note is that Ha can play a game all the way through without getting winded. Which is impressive considering his age and enormous size. Possibly most astounding is that X-rays reveal that he is still growing!

On Jan 30th SFX group went to South Korea and tested Seung-jin's agility, ball-handling skills and shooting ability over two days. Seung-jin was given rave reviews by the group. Before the change in the NBA's International eligibility rule, Ha was not eligible for the 2003 NBA Draft. He planned to stay in South Korea for another year while he earned his high school degree. After which he would head to the the United States to train. No word on whether Ha's plans have changed due to the change in the rule, however it's likely that Ha will stay with the plan and train for the 2004 draft. If all goes well, Ha Seung-jin will be the first Korean to make it to the NBA. As a sophomore he led his high school team to a 22-0 record, averaging 27 points and 10 rebounds per game. He has led his team to four championship titles including one at the National Sports Festival in Cheju last November.

Basketball in his genes: Ha's father, Dong-ki who is 6-6 tall, was a former member of the Korean National team that placed second at the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games. Ha's sister, also an astonishing 6-6, had a successful basketball career.

Lee Yun-hwan (Seung-jin's High School coach) on Ha:
"Even with such imposing height, he is nimble and shrewd, keying rallies at both ends of the court. He can play a game all the way through without losing his wind."

"After building his frame to perfect condition, he will become a competitive player in the U.S. As you can see, he is still growing. He has enormous potential", said Choun Soo-gil, an Internet sports columnist and webmaster for the Korea Basketball Association.

Injury concerns: Players of Seung-jin's size are prime candidates for knee and foot injuries. With injuries having ended or limited the careers of countless bigmen including Ralph Sampson, Gheorge Muresan, Arvydas Sabonis, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and others. Both Ha's father and sister had successful basketball careers end prematurely due to injury. Staying healthy appears to be the biggest area of concern for him. "Health is the most important thing which my son should keep in mind," said Ha's 6-6 father Dong-ki.

Ha on his future:
"I will prevail on the court to realize what my father failed to accomplish. It's time for me to concentrate on practicing."

 

[slinslin]

I think the Suns need some size but I also think that someone who isn't a freak of nature and like 7'+ is too slow to work out well for the Suns.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by slinslin
I think the Suns need some size but I also think that someone who isn't a freak of nature and like 7'+ is too slow to work out well for the Suns.

The reason he is getting any attention is that he is considered to be quite mobile. I'm guessing all tall guys are freaks of nature, but my biggest concern is health and lack of experience. If he turns out to be slower than it is claimed, no one will draft him.

 

[Phill11]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
The reason he is getting any attention is that he is considered to be quite mobile. I'm guessing all tall guys are freaks of nature, but my biggest concern is health and lack of experience. If he turns out to be slower than it is claimed, no one will draft him.

Someone will draft him. I mean heck. Look at Oliver Miller!

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
Basketball in his genes: Ha's father, Dong-ki