After 4 seasons of great success in China, he moved to KBL… “Sono will help you climb higher”
(Saga = Yonhap News) Reporter Choi Song-ah = Goyang Sono, which finished second in the professional basketball championship game last season, is accelerating preparations for the new season by welcoming a new '1st option' foreign player.
Sono sent away Nathan Knight, a key player in last season's runner-up, and recruited Scotty James (29).
As for domestic players, this is the card chosen by Sono for 'upgrade', as there has been little change compared to last season.
James, who has an imposing physique of 202 cm and 108 kg, has gained experience in leagues such as Germany, Israel, Puerto Rico, and China, and is evaluated as a player who can utilize a variety of offensive options.
Playing for the Chinese professional basketball team Tianjin for the past four seasons, he performed well with 22.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game, and a 3-point shooting percentage of 36.9% (2.4 per game), confirming his competitiveness on the Asian stage, and also connected with Korea through Sono.
James, whom Sono met in Saga, Japan, where he was training, said, "When it came to basketball, I tried to find a team that suited me, and above all, I considered family. Those two things were the biggest," and added, "I visited Korea before, and the good experience I had there also played a role."
He continued, “I liked the direction Sono was going, and since it achieved good results last season, I wanted to join and participate in the process of rising to higher levels,” and added, “I am grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity.”
After spending his first week with the team, he said, "The welcoming atmosphere is very nice. My teammates help me relax and tell me a lot of interesting things to help me adapt quickly. The manager and coaches help me a lot so that I can contribute to the team's offense and defense, and the staff also helps me take good care of my body."
Sono brought in Johnny O'Bryant as another foreign player to work with James. As a proven resource who played the role of first option in CheongKwanJang last season, Sono is said to be a 'winner candidate' with evaluations that he is currently at the highest level among foreign players.
James said, "I played with O'Bryant a few years ago (in the Puerto Rican league). I was happy when I heard he was joining Sono. We talk a lot about everything from basketball to everyday life. He's a good player and person, so it's nice to talk to him a lot and help him."
He expressed confidence, saying, "I and O'Bryant, who are new, are players who value competing for victory rather than being selfish, so rather than focusing on records, we are focusing on how to combine with existing players to create good shots." He also expressed confidence, saying, "Other teams will have a hard time against Sono."
James, who introduces himself, is a ‘versatile’ player.
Specifically, he said, "He can shoot, attack the rim, rebound, and make plays. And more than anything, I want to tell you that he is a hard-working player, and I think his aggressive activity level is his advantage," and emphasized, "He can read the situation on the court with many variables and make plays that fit it."
He added, "My favorite player is, of course, LeBron James. His athletic ability is outstanding. When I played with Kevin Love during the 'second season' of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA, I was also inspired by Love's play. My father was a basketball coach, and he always emphasized that I should work hard and try to catch rebounds, and that has led to my playing style."
James, who said, “I watched Sono play in Korea last year, and was impressed by the good environment and atmosphere,” said James, adding, “There are a lot of great, high-level players in the KBL. I’m very excited to come here and compete with those players,” as he waited for the season to open.
James worked hard in the Gateway Cup friendly match against the Japanese B. League Saga Ballooners held at Saga Arena in Japan on the 5th, scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds in Sono's loss (83-91).
