Samsung Thunders reunite with coach Kim

The Seoul Samsung Thunders, the Korean Basketball League’s worst team last season with a record of 13 wins and 41 losses, hired Kim Dong-kwang as their new coach for next season yesterday, just one day after former coach Kim Sang-jun resigned from his post.

The Thunders said that they signed a two-year contract worth 208 million won ($184,000) with the 59-year-old, who returns to the team after leaving in 2004 with the Seoul club.

Kim previously coached the Thunders from 1998 to 2004 and guided the club to one championship title, while leading them to the postseason four times. After leaving the Thunders, he coached the SBS Stars, currently Anyang Korea Ginseng Corporation, until 2006.

Kim served as KBL executive director last year and then worked as a basketball commentator for MBC Sports Plus.