Director Kim Ho-cheol of IBK Industrial Bank couldn’t hide his joy with a big smile when the first ball came out in the nomination lottery. Then he made an unconventional choice.
The 2023 Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) women’s foreign player draft, which was held face-to-face for the first time in four years in Turkey, Istanbul, concluded on the 13th (local time). IBK Industrial Bank, which obtained the first overall nomination as a result of the bead probability lottery in reverse order of performance in the 2022-23 season, nominated ‘new face’ Brittany Abercrombie.
Abercrombie is a left-handed apogee Spiker with a height of 191 cm. Abercrombie, who has dual citizenship between the United States and Puerto Rico, is currently playing for the Puerto Rico national team. In her last season she played in the Turkish League.
Abercrombie did not participate in two evaluation matches during the tryout period due to the club’s schedule. At dawn on the day of the draft in local time, she arrived in Istanbul and played only the last evaluation match. Even right before the draft, few teams paid attention to him as their number one pick. Other clubs were surprised by manager Kim Ho-cheol’s unconventional decision.
Coach Ho-cheol Kim said, “I thought about picking him before the tryout and watched the video over and over again.”
In addition, he said, “The attack range is wide and the advantage of being left-handed was highly evaluated.” He could have picked a taller player, but he picked a player who could fit in well with our setter,” he added.
Even Abercrombie couldn’t hide his joy. He said, “I feel very happy to have been selected, and I look forward to playing in Korea.”
Yasmin Bedartt (27, USA/Israel, 193cm), who initially drew attention as a potential first-choice candidate, will wear the Pepper Savings Bank uniform. Yasmin, who was out early last season due to a back injury at Hyundai E&C, is currently recovering after completing treatment. During this tryout period, he did not participate in the evaluation match and only warmed up his body lightly.
Coach Aachen Kim explained the reason for the nomination, saying, “I thought it would be helpful to have a V-League veteran in a young club entering the third year.” “It is not common for foreign players to be classified as veterans in Korea.”
Regarding the risk of injury, “No matter who you choose, the risk is the same. I think I can fully recover from an injury in six months,” he said. “Yasmin is a veteran professional player and knows what to do.”
Yasmin also did not hide her satisfaction. “After suffering a back injury and knowing he was going to recover, he wanted to go back to Korea,” he said. On August 1st, he will be in good health until he joins the team.”
KGC Ginseng Corporation director Goh Hee-jin pointed out Giovanna Milana (25, USA, 186cm). When Milana’s name was called, an interesting scene unfolded where other foreign players who participated in the draft cheered and applauded as if it were their own work.
Director Ko Hee-jin said, “I was satisfied with everything, including my skills. He said, “I thought he was ranked first, but I’m happy메이저사이트 that he was selected in our ranking.”
“It’s such an honor,” Milana said. I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry, and I feel like I’m dreaming.” I am grateful for the tryout because I got to know good volleyball players.”
Hyundai Engineering & Construction coach Kang Seong-hyung named Leticia Moma Basoko (30, Cameroon, 184cm), who played for GS Caltex last season. Manager Kang Seong-hyeong said, “Moma is not a player with low attack power when looking at the scoring success rate.”
GS Caltex coach Sang-Hyun Cha, who decided not to renew the contract with MoMA the day before, chose Gisele Silva (32, Cuba/Azerbaijan, 191cm).
Coach Sang-Hyun Cha explained the reason for the nomination, saying, “Silva is very good at serving and has enough second-tier attack skills to score points when defending.” Regarding the reason for not renewing the contract with MoMa, he said, “Rather than MoMa, our team clearly needed a change.”
Lastly, the “defending champion,” coach Kim Jong-min of Korea Expressway Corporation, pointed to Banja Bukirich (24, Serbia, 1m98), who was well-received throughout the tryout period. Among the players in this draft, Bukirich, who is the tallest, was evaluated as similar to Meretta Lutz (USA), who played an active role at GS Caltex in the past.
Manager Kim Jong-min said, “The player I thought of remained. Although my turn was last, I am very satisfied,” he said. He continued, “First of all, his strength is his height,” and explained, “I was very tall compared to other players when blocking and attacking.”
Bukirich couldn’t hide his complex emotions. He said, “I was nervous and happy, and I think I felt all the emotions.” .