※ This interview was conducted in mid-to-late February and was published in the March 2023 issue of Basket Korea webzine

. Then, he confessed the experience he suffered from his image and made a special resolution.

“I once gave up sports when I was in middle school, and I think there is an image of me being insincere while transferring schools. I heard that even though I worked really hard in my first year of high school. Still, I was determined. I will fight to live or die to change my indolent image. I want you to watch over me in a good way.”

How are you doing these days?
I usually went to Samcheonpo and Sangju Stove League while training at school. I had some confidence before going to Samcheonpo, but I felt that I was lacking a lot there. I was in my third year of high school, but I kept thinking that I was lacking, so I lost my confidence. 온라인카지노

What specifically did you feel was lacking?
Basketball is a game that needs to be played, but my finish was a bit disappointing. Still, I am regaining my confidence through a lot of practice. (What is the driving force behind me to overcome?) It is thanks to the coach who told me that it is okay and to continue, and the team members believed in me. 

How are you feeling?
are you okay. (Any special injury experience?) Nothing in particular. Because it’s healthy. It’s a style that passes cold easily. Mom takes care of the food, and our team does a lot of weight training. Personally, I tend to stretch meticulously before this workout. No injuries. 

Let’s start with how I started playing basketball.
I originally lived in Siheung, Gyeonggi-do, but moved to Incheon. At the same time, we had a housewarming party, and my mom’s friend (former basketball player Kim Moon-jung) encouraged me to play basketball. I was taller than my peers. Since I was little, I liked sports activities so much that I started playing basketball in Yeonhak Elementary School when I was in the 5th grade of elementary school. 

After that, did you go on to Buil Girls’ Middle School?
no. At first, I went to Inseong Women’s Middle School for a short time. However, it was difficult to exercise, and maybe puberty had arrived, so I didn’t want to play basketball. So I stopped working out and took a break. Then, at that time, Cheongju Girls’ High School coach Kim Nam-soo suggested that we try together, so I transferred to Cheongju Girls’ Middle School in my 3rd year of middle school. That’s how I worked out with the older sisters from Cheongju Girls’ High School when I was in my 3rd year of middle school. At that time, there was no competition schedule due to Corona 19, so I worked out with my high school sisters. 

Is there a reason you started exercising again?
I think it was too late to study, not exercise. And basketball was a pity too. Because of the transfer penalty, I couldn’t play at all in middle school. While I was thinking about it, I got a call from (Cheongju Girls’ High School) and decided to do it again. 

How was the atmosphere at Cheongju Girls’ High School?
The coaches are nice, and the unnies took good care of me. Everyone was focused on basketball and worked hard, so I learned a lot. 

I served as the captain of Cheongju Girls’ High School this season. What is your role?
It’s the 3rd grade, so when the kids are dying, I have to give them good energy. In terms of the game, I have to catch a lot of rebounds, and I have to faithfully carry out the coach’s orders. I want to become more confident in both offense and defense. 

It’s not an easy position to claim. 
To be honest, it can be a burden. I have to be the center and lead the team, but I have an introverted side. So there are difficult points. But on the court, you can’t show that kind of (introverted) side. I’m more outgoing than usual on the court, but I’m trying to make it more fighting. 

He is attracting attention as a big man who can play outside. Please also introduce Lee Ye-na’s own strengths and weaknesses. 
I think I’m good at breaking through and passing well in the process. If you miss a match due to a switch situation while playing from the outskirts, you can push in and post up. The downside is the lack of offensive finishing. In particular, we need to improve the shot below the goal. It doesn’t matter when it’s an open chance, but the finish in a situation where 2 or 3 players are defending together is insufficient. You have to overcome that. And I’m trying to take the defense one tempo faster. 

What advice do you usually hear from Coach Younghyun Lee?
When the coach attacks, ask them to push aggressively. He talks a lot more, order a faster run. (For specific situations?) Because I am a big man who can run, I tell my teammates to run faster when they break fast. To be able to aim for an offensive rebound chance. And there are times when I miss the defense, so please advise me whenever that happens. 

I was included in the preliminary roster for the 16-year-old national team and the 18-year-old national team, but was excluded from the final roster. I would be very sorry.
Being on the reserve list was a bit of a surprise. I also thought that if I had better stamina, they would have looked at me favorably. (What level is your physical strength?) I feel that I am less than others. There are only 5 team members who can play this year, so I have to run full-time, but I am training hard to maintain good performance. 

Also, pick a role model. 
I am Kim Dan-bi and Kim Jung-eun. From the beginning of basketball, I considered these two players as role models. I think Danbi Kim is doing well in all aspects. He wants to emulate his reliable finishing ability after a quick breakout. He wants to learn block shot timing and sense on defense. Player Kim Jong-un is strong in physical fights. When defending, you always deal with the center, but you block big players like Park Ji-soo really well.

As this is my last year in high school, I think my resolution will be different. 
Rather than personal goals, I want the team to win. It would be nice to do that in all competitions, but if I had to choose one, I would want to win the National Sports Festival. The sports festival is also the biggest competition, and our school represents Chungbuk. Also, I want to receive a medal (laughs). 

The last thing I want to say. 
I gave up sports when I was in middle school, and I think there is an image of me being insincere while changing schools. I heard that even though I worked really hard in my first year of high school. Still, I was determined. I will fight to live or die to change my indolent image. I want you to keep an eye on me.