“I received a 60-day vacation after finishing last season. But after about a week, more than half of the players came out and worked out.”
This is the atmosphere of Goyang Sono, a professional basketball team ahead of the new season, as told by ‘Captain’ Jeong Hee-jae (36).
Sono entered the first playoff (PO) stage since its founding in the 2025-2026 season and took second place, advancing to the championship game with a sensational victory over the league's powerhouses, Seoul SK and Changwon LG.
Sono, who had a dramatic season from 10 consecutive wins at the end of the regular season to 'spring basketball', now faces the task of proving that last season's performance was not a coincidence.
Jeong Hee-jae met with reporters in Saga, Japan, where he is currently training, and said, "The players don't talk directly to each other, but just by looking at their eyes, we felt that they were very disappointed (about the runner-up finish)," and added, "I could feel their desire to win by seeing them exercise with me even during vacation, and the coach was satisfied as well."
With the addition of Scotty James, who excelled in the Chinese league, and the addition of Johnny O'Bryant, who was the '1st option' for Anyang CheongKwanJang, Sono is considered a candidate for the championship this season, as it has the league's highest level of foreign players.
Regarding this, Jeong Hee-jae said, "There is quite a bit of pressure," but emphasized, "It is also something that any player must overcome, and I am grateful. I think I need to do more to meet expectations. This training is important."
He smiled and said, "Personally, I have a huge will to win. I think this year is an opportunity and the right time. It's not just about skill, it also has to be luck, so I'll spend my days praying."
Coach Son Chang-hwan, who is preparing for his second year after leading last season's 'Miracle of Sono', which debuted as a professional coach, is showing his trust by entrusting Jeong Hee-jae as captain this season as well.
Coach Son said, "The captain must be honest and just. He must accurately understand the situation and provide information so that the players' opinions are not distorted by me. Jung Hee-jae is that kind of player. I believe it."
Jeong Hee-jae said, "I also have to accept the weight of the captaincy. I feel less pressure because the coach and I got to know each other well after going through last season. We have been talking with the coach about creating our own culture and atmosphere, and although it is not perfect, it seems to be in place," and pledged to lead the players well this season as well.
Another reason why Jeong Hee-jae is waiting for this season is to participate for the first time in the East Asian Super League (EASL), where East Asian professional basketball powerhouses gather and compete.
Jeong Hee-jae explained, "I think it will be the greatest experience of my basketball life. It is not common to have the experience of going abroad and competing in a tournament. My goal is to win the championship before I retire, but I really wanted to participate in the EASL."
“I had no experience, so I asked a lot of LG players who played last season. They said it was harder than I thought. I hope the coach will give me a lot of rest,” he joked, adding, “I think it will be fun as I play in EASL in a season when two foreigners can play simultaneously in KBL.”
Jeong Hee-jae, who smiled and said, "Personally, not to be criticized" as his goal for this season, said, "I want to become a player who is prepared to play any role, whether it be 'firefighter' or whatever, no matter when I am deployed. My goal is to play in all games, and I will take good care of my body."
