This article was published in the March 2023 issue of Basket Korea webzine. The interview for this article was conducted on February 12, 2023 at 5:00 pm ( Link to Buy Basket Korea Webzine ).
Hwang Chi-woong has had excellent motor nerves since he was young. He closely resembles the talents of his parents who were athletes. Hwang Chi-woong’s parents also recognized his son’s talent. Hwang Chi-woong’s father, who liked basketball, encouraged Hwang Chi-woong to play basketball. Hwang Chi-ung also readily agreed to his father’s proposal.
Hwang Chi-woong overcame the tough physical training. His skills also naturally improved. After he entered middle school, he was convinced that he would become a basketball player.
Hwang Chi-woong’s homework for 2023 is to settle down as a point guard. Keeping his scoring prowess in check, his teammates should also be looked at. And he dreams of complementing the defense and growing into an offensive and defensive player. So Hwang Chi-woong is constantly running and running again.
Please introduce yourself.
This is Baejae High School point guard Hwang Chi-woong. He is 175 cm tall and is in his senior year of high school in 2023.
How has he been these days?
He was doing winter training. He’s playing practice games while going around different schools, and he’s getting in touch with his teammates through practice games.
How did you start playing basketball?
My parents were field hockey players. Also, his father really likes basketball. When he was young, he went to watch KBL games together. Since he grew up in Incheon, he watched a lot of Incheon Etland (now Daegu Korea Gas Corporation) games. In particular, he liked Ricardo Powell.
Also, my athletic ability has been good since I was young. He was greatly influenced by his parents. My parents also recognized my athletic abilities. He invited me to play basketball. I also liked sports from a young age, and I also liked to run. So I started inadvertently in early April, in the fourth grade of elementary school.
Was it difficult to adapt to elite basketball?
At first I thought it was an after school class. It was fun, and I made a lot of friends. However, it was difficult as I moved on to physical training. I even thought about going the other way. However, after overcoming the hard physical training, my skills improved a lot. It was fun to improve my skills. I also learned little by little about elite basketball. When I entered middle school, I was determined to become a basketball player. And somehow, I ended up here.먹튀검증
How has your playstyle changed in 2022 and 2023?
Aggressive until 2022. He tried a lot of breakthroughs and jumpers. But in 2023, I want to save my colleagues. It is changing into a play style that can not only score but also assist. In 2022, I was averaging 16 points and 5 assists, but in 2023, I want to average 20 points and 8 assists per game.
I heard he switches positions from shooting guard to point guard.
Until 2022, we worked hard on the attack. But my older brother, who used to be a point guard, graduated, so I have to watch a point guard this year. I’m always confident in my offense, but I’m still immature in assists. The passing ability is still lacking. I need to score, but I want to record a lot of assists. I practice my passing a lot even in practice games. I want to take good care of my teammates and save the team well.
What do the coaching staff order?
The average height of our team is low. Also, there are many players on our team who are good at fastballs. So, put a lot of emphasis on fast attacks. In particular, Coach A Kim Jun-seong said, “You have to be good at outlet passes. Get one out with your quick feet and make a lot of kick-out passes in out-number situations (situations where there are more strikers than defenders).”
He was appointed as the captain of the baejaego.
When I was in my second year of middle school, there were a lot of seniors. I just thought I’d do my best. But in 2023, I became a captain. After the manager and coaches, you have to take care of the team. I need to communicate a lot with my juniors and listen to the coaches better. That being said, I don’t want to be a tight argument. I want to be a friend-like captain who jokes around a lot while being kind. Of course, your first goal as captain is to get good grades.
Is there anything you would like to improve on now?
Coach Lee Sang-yoon pointed out my passive defense. If you’re not defending, call them to the bench. Defense must be as active as offense.
There are also strengths on defense. He’s quick on his feet, and he’s good at grooming. But half of defense is mental strength. You have to stay alert and work hard so that you won’t be pointed out by the defense.
What year was 2022?
I transferred to Bae Jae-go in 2021. Because of the transfer penalty, I couldn’t participate in the game for a while. Also, because of Corona 19, I couldn’t play properly in 2020. Besides, the gym was closed, so there was no place to play basketball. I only made my body at home with my father.
So 2022 years passed by toxic fast. At the same time, it was also an impressive year. It was my first time playing in two years, so I felt a lot of tension. But I felt really good.
I liked the time under the guidance of coach Lim Jae-hyeon (currently head coach of Changwon LG), but I was worried that the coach changed in the middle. However, I met Coach Lee Sang-yoon and Coach A Kim Jun-seong. I thought I was lucky, and I was very happy.
Which players are your role models?
Heo Hoon (Sangmu) is my role model. He’s not tall, but he’s versatile. I’m studying while watching Heo Hoon’s highlight video. He focused on 2-on-2 passes, mid-air passes to centers and kick-out passes. There are similarities with me. He is a combined offense and defense commander, and his showmanship is strong.
You’re paying a lot of attention to defense. Are there any players you refer to on defense?
Coach Yang Dong-geun (current head coach of Ulsan Hyundai Mobis) is a reference to the defense. I watched a lot of playoff games. When he doesn’t score well, it was impressive that he tried to help the team with his defense. Making 3-4 steals per game was also impressive.
What is basketball to Hwang Chi-woong?
It’s a life partner. It is also my whole life. I’ve only played basketball since I was a kid. And I am the happiest when I play basketball. I also plan to become a leader after I retire.
When are you happiest?
I’m happy when I’m off the ball, scoring goals, or assisting my teammates. It’s good to score a lot in a limited amount of time and change the flow depending on the mood. Compared to baseball or soccer, switching between offense and defense is quick. so it’s better
What is your goal as a basketball player?
In 2023, I will work well with the players and listen to the words of the coach and coach A better. I want to put up good results, and I want to finish the season without injuries.
My ultimate goal is to become a KBL star like Heo Hoon. Furthermore, I want to grow into a player who can even aim for the NBA.