‘Park Ji-Soo (25, 196 cm) was Park Ji-Soo. Park scored 33 points to lead the KB Stars to victory over Woori Bank.
Cheongju KB Stars won 71-61 against Asan Woori Bank in the Woori WON 2023-2024 Women’s Professional Basketball League at Cheongju Gymnasium on Nov. 11. Park Ji-soo led the way with a barrage of shots from the floor. With 33 points, Park was responsible for nearly half of her team’s points. His 33 points were his highest scoring output of the season.
Park finished the game with 33 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists. “It was the Lunar New Year holiday and our opponent was Woori Bank, so I came to the game expecting a large crowd. Even when I was struggling during the game, I listened to the cheers and thought, “Let’s play one more step. If it was an away match, I would have been nervous, but being at home gave me a lot of strength,” he said of the victory.
As Park said, many fans came to Cheongju Gymnasium to support KB Stars. In response, Park Ji-soo performed a series of ceremonies throughout the game. “The crowd cheered a lot, so I wanted to harmonize with them. I wouldn’t have done it if the game time hadn’t been called,” he reflected.
Woori Bank head coach Woo Sati-woo also praised Park, who has been playing well all season and leading KB Stars to the top of the standings. Before and after the game, Woo said, “He has great improvisational skills. It’s like watching a special A-class mercenary.” He praised Park Ji-su before and after the game. Park Ji-soo responded, “He also praised me when I greeted him after the game. I’m grateful that he recognized me even though he’s the opposing coach.” Park expressed his gratitude.
“I think I didn’t see things well in the past,” says Park. Now I don’t rush into things, I look at the situation and make a judgment. I look at the defense and then think about it. That’s why I’ve gotten better.”
KB Stars is also close to winning the regular season title. With 23 wins and two losses, KB Stars has extended its lead over second-place Woori Bank (19-6) to four games. With five games remaining for both teams, KB Stars has already secured a head-to-head advantage over Woori Bank. A win for Woori and a loss for KB Stars is the only way the standings will flip.
Park said, “It definitely gives us a lot of mental space. In the middle of the season, it seemed like the lead race would go all the way to the end of the season. Now I feel like I can see the end,” Park said, expressing relief.
“I didn’t play much last season. It was painful to be on the field, and it was hard to just follow him around after he was out for the season. The hardest part was not being able to help the team. This season, I don’t have to think about that. So I think it’s a lot different. It’s a different feeling than when we won the title two years ago. It’s a different feeling to win as a team.”