Jin Soo Kim
Encyclopedia
Choi Jin-Soo is a South Korean basketball player who played for University of Maryland, College Park
and the Korea national basketball team. He is the first South Korean to receive a full NCAA Division I basketball scholarship.
He is listed as a small forward
but he is able to play shooting guard
, power forward
, and center
. Usually, he plays small forward in the United States, and power forward when he plays for the Korea national basketball team.
He came to the United States
as a high school freshman in 2004. As a freshman, he was a starting forward for Montclair Prep
. He transferred to South Kent
for his sophomore
year. At South Kent, he played for three years as a Forward. In October 2007, he verbally committed to the University of Maryland. He graduated from South Kent in 2008, and is now a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park
.
In Choi's first game as a Terrapin, he scored 20 points in an exhibition vs. Northwood University
. Choi immediately became a fan favorite of the Maryland students, as they were cheering his name by the end of the game.
On January 27, 2009, Choi was declared academically ineligible. Maryland appealed the decision to the NCAA and he was reinstated a few days later.
During the 2009 offseason, Choi changed his name from Kim to Choi. He did this to acknowledge his stepfather. Choi's biological father, Uyootak Kim, was a well-known basketball player in South Korea and is a former Korea national basketball team coach.
On January 5, 2010, it was announced that Choi was leaving the University of Maryland. He cited difficulties in playing basketball and taking academic classes at the same time as reasons for his departure. Choi was drafted 3rd in the 2011 KBL Korean Basketball League
draft to the Orions basketball club.
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
and the Korea national basketball team. He is the first South Korean to receive a full NCAA Division I basketball scholarship.
He is listed as a small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
but he is able to play shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
, power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
, and center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
. Usually, he plays small forward in the United States, and power forward when he plays for the Korea national basketball team.
He came to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as a high school freshman in 2004. As a freshman, he was a starting forward for Montclair Prep
Montclair College Preparatory School
Montclair College Preparatory School, also commonly known as "Montclair Prep" is a school located in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, near Panorama City. The school teaches grades 9 through 12.-History:Founded in 1956, by the late Dr. Vernon E...
. He transferred to South Kent
South Kent School
South Kent School is a private boarding school for boys in South Kent, Connecticut, United States. The school is located on a campus in the hills of Litchfield County. It was founded in 1923 as a joint venture between Reverend Frederick Herbert Sill, headmaster of Kent School, and two of his...
for his sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
year. At South Kent, he played for three years as a Forward. In October 2007, he verbally committed to the University of Maryland. He graduated from South Kent in 2008, and is now a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
.
In Choi's first game as a Terrapin, he scored 20 points in an exhibition vs. Northwood University
Northwood University
Northwood University is a private university with multiple locations. The school has four residential campuses: Midland, Michigan , Cedar Hill, Texas , West Palm Beach, Florida and a joint program with Hotel Institute Montreux in Montreux, Switzerland, began in 2001...
. Choi immediately became a fan favorite of the Maryland students, as they were cheering his name by the end of the game.
On January 27, 2009, Choi was declared academically ineligible. Maryland appealed the decision to the NCAA and he was reinstated a few days later.
During the 2009 offseason, Choi changed his name from Kim to Choi. He did this to acknowledge his stepfather. Choi's biological father, Uyootak Kim, was a well-known basketball player in South Korea and is a former Korea national basketball team coach.
On January 5, 2010, it was announced that Choi was leaving the University of Maryland. He cited difficulties in playing basketball and taking academic classes at the same time as reasons for his departure. Choi was drafted 3rd in the 2011 KBL Korean Basketball League
Korean Basketball League
The Korean Basketball League, often abbreviated to the KBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in South Korea. Its inaugural season was in 1997. The season starts in October and ends in April the following year. The KBL consists of 10 teams. Each team plays 54 games . Each team...
draft to the Orions basketball club.