Hyun Joo-yeop’s beginning of second basketball life

At the 1998 basketball player draft, first of its kind since the launch of Korea Basketball League, the player selected first by SK didn’t appear the venue. It was a transition period moving from FA to draft system. As it was before the system was fully established, it was not mandatory for all players to attend the draft ceremony. The first-chosen player heard about his draft results via phone. Sixteen years later on Sept. 17 in 2014, the player appeared in Seoul Jamsil Students` Gynasium where 2014-2015 KBL draft was held. Not as a player, but as a sports commentator for MBC Sports Plus. "Magic Hippo," Hyun Joo-yeop (39) returned to the court.

Hyun looked a bit nervous. It was his first schedule since he became the sports commentator. On that day, Lee Seung-hyun (22), Hyun’s junior of Korea University, was selected first. Hyun seemed to recall the past when Lee was selected first in the draft after graduating Korea University.

Beginning of Hyun`s career as a professional basketball player was excellent. In the first season after making a debut, Hyun achieved the triple double (scoring more than 10 points in 3 offense areas) and became the first rookie to achieve the triple double. For the next 10 years, Hyun enjoyed prime time as a professional basketball player and also represented Korea as a national athlete. After retirement due to injury in 2009, he didn’t make much appearance in the public. Hyun smiled and said, “It’s been quite a long time since I left the basketball court. My heart is fluttering as if I return my home town.”

It was not easy to make a comeback. “I hesitated a lot,” Hyun added. His voice sounded careful and cautious. He had been involved in bad news, which held him back. Hyun was booked without detention for drinking driving last year, and filed a law suit for investment scam worth 170 million won (163,540 U.S. dollars). Hyun has received many request for sports commentator, but turned down them. “I thought it was too early,” said Hyun. However, he changed his mind after thinking, “If it becomes too late, it would be harder to come back.” Hyun said, “I had thorough self-reflection on causing concerns due to drinking driving. I missed the basketball court a lot, which was my home, while I had hard time. I wanted to return to the warm and comfortable place.”

Facing the new challenge, Hyun aims to become a "warm commentator." He said, “There are certain points that a player-turned-commentator can explain. Based on my experience, I want to provide comments with warmth. Looking forward to seeing basketball fans again in the court.”