Jeon Seong-hyen could break the KBL's 3-point record this season

Jeon Seong-hyen, left, of the the Goyang Carrot Jumpers in action during a KBL game against Wonju DB Promy at Goyang Gymnasium in Goyang, Gyeonggi on Jan. 19. [NEWS1]

Jeon Seong-hyen of the Goyang Carrot Jumpers is on track to become the first player in KBL history to score over 200 3-pointers in a single season, with 137 recorded in 34 matches as of Jan. 25.

With 20 games remaining until the end of the season, the 31-year-old small forward might become the first player to break the 200 3-pointer mark in KBL history.

Jeon has recorded 411 points through 3-pointers so far this season, which is not only remarkable considering it is only the mid-season, but it is also incomparable in the league, with the second highest 3-pointer scorer, Omari Spellman from Anyang KGC, scoring 273 points.

This is not the first time Jeon has got close to the record — last season he scored 177 3-pointers in 54 matches.

The success behind his astonishing record with the 3-pointers is that he is able to score 3-pointers from practically anywhere, making him a very difficult player to defend against as he does not even hesitate to shoot from well behind the 3-point line.

The 31-year-old's class was on display even in his last match, as he scored 22 points against the Seoul SK Knights at Jamsil Students' Gymnasium in Songpa-gu, Southern Seoul on Monday.

Although the Jumpers lost 82-80 in the end, Jeon still scored the most points for his team with 20 and managed to record three 3-pointers out of 10 attempts in the match, making him the player to record the most 3-pointer attempts in the game.

The match on Monday was a reflection of how high his number of attempts is compared to other players in the league.

Jeon has attempted 326 3-pointers so far with his 3-point field goal percentage being 42 percent. Spellman is the only other player who has attempted anywhere near as many 3-pointers, but his record stands at 253.

At this rate, there is a great possibility that Jeon will surpass the KBL legends by scoring over 200 3-pointers.

KBL legend Woo Ji-won, who retired in 2010, still holds the KBL's 3-point record. He managed to record 197 3-pointers in 54 matches with the Ulsan Mobis Automons in the 2003-04 season, but could not break his own record thereafter.

No player has come close to that record, but Jeon has a chance to do so this year.

In an interview with SBS last week, he revealed his desire to break the record: "That record has been unattainable, and nobody has broken it, which is why I want to do it."

The Jumpers will play their next game against the Suwon KT Sonicboom at Suwon KT Sonicboom Arena in Suwon, Gyeonggi on Friday.

Jeon will likely attempt as many 3-pointers as possible in the match as he has done this season as he tries to get close to the historic milestone.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]