[점프볼=창원/이재범 기자] “I feel like he will be one of the top three forwards in Korea within two years.”
Changwon LG defeated Daegu Korea Gas Corporation 70-67 in the 2024-2025 KCC professional basketball home game held at Changwon Gymnasium on the 19th, winning the opening game for the first time in four years.
This is the first time that LG coach Cho Sang-hyun and Assem Marey have won the opening game.
Marey (19 points, 19 rebounds, 2 assists) and Doo Kyung-min (13 points, 6 assists) stood out.
As can be seen from the game results, LG was able to win because of the defense that tied KOGAS’ score to 67 points.
Andrew Nicholson, who leads the Korea Gas Corporation’s attack, averaged 23.3 points in three games in the KBL Cup tournament, when his physical condition was not perfect. Nicholson, who is expected to score 20 points, scored only 14 points in the game against LG that day.
Coach Cho Sang-hyeon said, “Tamayo did a good job blocking Nicholson.”
Carl Tamayo recorded 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals, including missing all 4 3-point shots that day. Although he didn’t score many points, his defense contributed to the victory.
When asked what kind of player he sees Tamayo as while training with him, Doo Kyung-min expressed his thoughts at length.
“I feel like within two years, he will be one of the top three forwards in Korea. The young player matches up with the opposing team’s foreign player, providing a positive effect on defense and enabling defensive rotation. Any player’s offense will have ups and downs, but (Tamayo’s) ability itself is very good.
We shared the same room during the cup competition, and I wrote in my notebook every day. In order to adapt to Korean basketball, I write down everything I have experienced, including each player and his style, and always look at my notes and reflect on them on the bus or until the end of the meeting before going into the game.
After the game, I tell the players that I will always work hard, admit my shortcomings, and learn from them. Although he is a very young player, I also have something to learn from working hard to improve basketball.
“Rather than saying that he didn’t do well today (19th), I think Marey also received some help (from Tamayo) on defense, so I think Marei was able to bring in a really good amount of activity in the fourth quarter.”
Marey also said, “Tamayo has great potential, so we keep talking to him so he can adapt. Tamayo tries to learn and grow. He listens carefully to what the manager and coach say, and listens well to what I say. “It’s good that I’m always trying to learn,” he said. “I need to adapt a little more, but if I grow at my leisure, I will become a good player in the KBL.”
LG even confirmed the defensive ability of newly recruited Tamayo in the first game of the season.
#Photo_Reporter Minho Yoon
