"Living legend" Kim Jung-eun (39, Bucheon Hana Bank), who will retire at the end of this season, is set to embark on the first-ever retirement tour in the history of the Women's Korean Basketball League (WKBL).
"Player Kim Jung-eun will retire at the end of this season. Accordingly, we will hold WKBL's first 'retirement tour,'" Bucheon Hana Bank announced Friday. The retirement tour will begin with an away game against Yongin Samsung Life on Saturday and will proceed sequentially during rounds 4 and 5, coinciding with Hana Bank's final away games at each team's arena.
Kim made her professional debut in 2006 with Shinsegae Coolcat, the predecessor of Hana Bank. With a career total of 8,440 points, she holds the WKBL records for most career points and most games played (610 games). Her accolades are equally impressive: the 2006 Winter League Rookie of the Year award, four scoring titles, six All-League selections, and one Finals MVP award. She also won a gold medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.
"I feel a heavy sense of responsibility that this opportunity has been given to me, something that even greater seniors who walked more distinguished paths never had," Kim said. "I cautiously accepted this retirement tour because I wanted to contribute, even in a small way, to creating a culture where the time female basketball players spend on the court is fully respected."
She added, "I believe this is not personal glory, but a tribute to the sweat and tears of all players who have built Korean women's basketball."