KCC player gets MVP honors

Lee Sang-min, 32, was named MVP of the Korean men’s professional basketball championship this weekend after his team, KCC, beat TG Sambo.
Mr. Lee, wearing No. 11, said he had a difficult time sleeping the night before the Saturday game. This was the first time in five years his team had been in the championship.
“I really wanted my team to win,” said Mr. Lee. “And I enjoyed the honor of being MVP.” The guard was all over the Chiak basketball court in Weonju, Gangweon province, and dominated the game for stretches at a time.
Although Lee scored only eight points, he was able to help KCC pull ahead of TG Sambo in the third quarter, capping the come-from-behind rally with a three-pointer. He ended the game with nine assists and four rebounds.
It was a hard-fought battle, however. Mr. Lee was ordered off the court after getting his fifth foul with one minute left in the game.
It was a special victory, Mr. Lee said, because the series had come down to game seven.
Even though he badly wanted to win, his feelings faltered a bit as he watched the retirement ceremony of Huh Jae, the 39-year-old basketball legend who was playing his final game for Sambo.
“I once thought that if TG Sambo had won, it would have been a nice retirement present for Mr. Huh,” said Mr. Lee.
Mr. Lee has won the MVP award twice before, but this was his first championship.

by Choi Joon-ho