Jeong Hee-jae (195cm, F) plays an active role as a hidden supporting role for LG’s rising trend with foreign player defense and 3-point shooting.
Changwon LG won 81-80 in a match against Suwon KT in the 4th round of the 2022-2023 SKT A-Dot Professional Basketball held at Suwon KT Arena on the 29th. The season record was 22 wins and 13 losses. Leader Anyang KGC and third place Ulsan Hyundai Mobis also won all of their matches on the day. The ride maintained 2 games and 0.5 games, respectively.
LG won 68-63 against KGC the previous day. 1st place was chased by 2 games. Beyond the fight for second place, the situation is also overtaking the lead position.
Lee Jae-do (180cm, G) – Lee Kwan-hee (190cm, G) – Asem Marey (202cm, C) are holding the center of LG. Kim Jun-il (201cm, F) – Dante Cunningham (203cm, F) – Justin Gutang (190cm, F) are also leading the second unit.
However, there is one more player that cannot be left out to explain LG’s 4th round growth. This is Jung Hee-jae. Jeong Hee-jae has been active as a key rotation player for LG since Min-soo Seo (197cm, F) was injured.
Jung Hee-jae recorded 7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in an average of 22 minutes and 44 seconds in the 4th round. He is making 1.3 3-pointers per game for a 33% success rate.
Jung Hee-jae’s strong point is his tenacious defense. It’s not a big height compared to the position, but both the defense that holds on and the defense that steals are doing excellently. He is also good at defending foreign players.
The outside shooting ability is also a strong point of Jung Hee-jae. He is making good use of the perimeter attack opportunities that come from Marey. Jeong Hee-jae’s perimeter attack is of great help to LG, which is struggling with the absence of a professional shooter.
In this game, all of Jeong Hee-jae’s strengths were revealed. He exploded three 3-pointers in the first quarter alone. He found an open opportunity with a perfect move.
Jeong Hee-jae, who took a break in the second quarter, was put back in the third quarter. He was strong on defense. Jarrod Jones (208cm, F) and Lester Prosper (204cm, C) tied the scores in the 3rd quarter to 5 points.
Jung Hee-jae’s performance continued into the 4th quarter. His role in defense was great. I firmly blocked the attacks of Jones and Ha Yoon-ki (204cm, C).
Jung Hee-jae then scored the final goal at the most important moment. Jung Sung-woo (178cm, G) stole a pass, and Lee Kwan-hee’s failed 3-point shot was connected by Jeong Hee-jae with a put-back score.
LG coach Cho Sang-hyun was also satisfied, saying, “(Jung) Hee-jae is doing his part 120%. In particular, he trusts and entrusts the defense of foreign players.” 안전놀이터
After Min-soo Seo’s injury, LG was struggling with position 4. The reason why Jung Hee-jae’s performance was more brilliant.
Jeong Hee-jae is making up for LG’s shortcomings. He was reborn as a key rotation player with foreign player defense and one 3-point shot. He is playing an active role as a hidden supporting actor in LG’s top-tier competition.