Who will be the men’s and women’s professional basketball player of the year at the ‘2024 Dong-A Sports Awards’, selected directly by the players?
The ‘2024 Dong-A Sports Awards with Mediheal’, hosted by Mediheal, Dong-A Ilbo, Sports Donga, and Channel A, will be held at the Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall of Korea University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul at 2 p.m. on December 2. The Dong-A Sports Awards, which celebrated its 16th anniversary this year, is the only event in which representative players from the five major professional sports in Korea, including baseball, soccer, basketball (men and women), volleyball (men and women), and golf (men and women), select the ‘Athlete of the Year’ through direct voting. It’s an awards ceremony. It is noteworthy that the winners are selected through direct voting by the players selected by the voting panel by applying strict criteria, which means that one must have not only skills but also character to enjoy the honor of winning the award. The reason why athletes attach great significance to winning the Dong-A Sports Awards is because it is proof that they have been recognized by their peers.
Winners in the men’s and women’s professional basketball categories are selected based on regular league performance in the 2023-2024 season. In men’s professional basketball, the competition is between Lee Jeong-hyeon (Goyang Sono), who emerged as one of the best guards in Korea with consistent performance throughout the 2023-2024 season, Choi Jun-yong (Busan KCC), who led the team to the championship game, and versatile guard Heo Hoon (Suwon KT). It is expected. Jeong-Hyeon Lee will receive the award for the first time, while Jun-Yong Choi, the 2022 winner, and Hoon Heo, the 2020 winner, will attempt to win the award for the second time.
Lee Jung-hyun was the core of Sono with 22.8 points per game (1st in the country), 6.6 assists, and 2 steals (1st overall). In the third year since joining the team, he has emerged as the present and future of Korean basketball. Choi Jun-yong contributed to the team’s championship win by scoring 14 points (4th in the country), 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks (2nd in the country) per game. Heo Hoon led the team to the championship game by recording 15.1 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 assists along with 2.6 3-point shots per game (3rd place).
In women’s professional basketball, a fierce battle is expected between Kim Dan-bi, who led Asan Woori Bank to victory in the championship game for two consecutive seasons, and ‘national treasure center’ Park Ji-soo (Turkiye Galatasaray), who contributed to Cheongju KB Stars’ regular league victory.
Danbi Kim, who enjoyed the joy of winning his first award in 2023, averaged 18.4 points (2nd), 9 rebounds (5th), 5 assists (4th), and 1.7 steals (3rd) in 29 regular league games in the 2023-2024 season. performed well. Park Ji-soo, who was the regular league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 2023-2024 season, ranked first in scoring (20.3 points), rebounds (15.2), and blocking (1.8). Danbi Kim will attempt to win the award for the second year in a row, and Jisoo Park will attempt to win the award for the third time following 2021 and 2022.
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**Expert Interview with Basketball Analyst on the 2024 Dong-A Sports Awards**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today to discuss the upcoming 2024 Dong-A Sports Awards, particularly the men’s and women’s basketball categories. This year’s nominees—Lee Jeong-hyeon, Choi Jun-yong, and Heo Hoon—have demonstrated remarkable performances throughout the regular league. Let’s dive into their statistics and what makes them contenders for the award.
**Analyst:** Absolutely, it’s great to be here. The Dong-A Sports Awards is a significant event in South Korea, highlighting not only athletic talent but also character and peer recognition. This year’s nominees are all outstanding in their own right.
**Interviewer:** Starting with Lee Jeong-hyeon, he’s been averaging 22.8 points, 6.6 assists, and 2 steals per game, leading in two major categories. What stands out the most about his performance this season?
**Analyst:** Lee Jeong-hyeon’s consistency is astonishing. His scoring ability positions him as a pivotal player for Goyang Sono, and those assists show he’s not just a scorer but also a playmaker. When you look at his steals, it highlights his defensive prowess as well. He plays a well-rounded game that allows him to impact both ends of the court. His emergence as perhaps the best guard in Korea is a testament to his hard work and commitment.
**Interviewer:** Choi Jun-yong has previously won this award in 2022 and was instrumental in leading his team to the championship game this year. Given his statistics of 14 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, how critical has he been for Busan KCC’s success?
**Analyst:** Choi’s versatility is a huge asset for his team. His ability to score, rebound, and block shots demonstrates not only his offensive skill but his defensive capabilities, particularly in clutch moments. His experience as a past winner adds to his credibility. Team leadership often shines through during playoffs, and he has proven to be a cornerstone for Busan KCC’s championship aspirations.
**Interviewer:** And then we have Heo Hoon, a former winner as well. With impressive stats, he remains a key player for Suwon KT. How does he differentiate himself from the other nominees?
**Analyst:** Heo Hoon is known for his ability to navigate defenses and create opportunities not only for himself but for others. He brings a high basketball IQ combined with speed and agility that makes him unpredictable. His previous experience as a winner also plays a role; he knows what it takes to be recognized by his peers, adding an interesting dynamic to this year’s nominations.
**Interviewer:** The voting process for the Dong-A Sports Awards is unique because it is conducted by the players themselves based on strict criteria. How does this impact the significance of such an award for the winners?
**Analyst:** Winning this award carries a lot of weight because it’s not just about stats; it’s about respect among peers. The players are voting based on their own experiences facing these athletes, so there is an element of honour that comes with being recognized by fellow professionals. It shows that you’re not just a skilled player, but also someone who exhibits sportsmanship and character—qualities that the Dong-A Sports Awards deeply values.
**Interviewer:** As we approach the awards ceremony in December, what factors do you think will ultimately decide the winners in the men’s basketball category this year?
**Analyst:** It will likely come down to a combination of individual performance during critical games, overall contribution to team success, and the respect they command from their peers. If Lee continues his scoring run and keeps improving in other areas, he might edge out the competition due to his point totals. However, if Choi’s leadership leads Busan KCC to a successful playoff run, and if Heo can leverage his experience effectively, the award could go to either of them too. It’s a tight race, and it’ll be fascinating to see how it unfolds.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights. The 2024 Dong-A Sports Awards is sure to be a thrilling event as these outstanding athletes compete for recognition among their peers.
**Analyst:** Thank you for having me. I’m excited to see the results and how this award continues to evolve in honoring the best in Korean sports.
