13 Facts About Joo Hee-jung

Joo Hee-jung was born on February 4,1977 and is a South Korean basketball coach and retired player.

Joo Hee-jung's playing career spanned twenty years with four different teams in the Korean Basketball League.

Joo Hee-jung's father had distanced himself due to his dealings with local criminals and was largely absent after being diagnosed with cancer.

Joo Hee-jung began playing basketball in elementary school but was not considered an outstanding prospect due to his height and slight frame.

Joo Hee-jung went on to Donga High School, one the best known basketball programs in the south, and led them to win their first national tournament in six years.

Joo Hee-jung was recruited by Korea University but his college career was largely uneventful as his more senior teammates Hyun Joo Hee-jung-yup and Shin Ki-sung were the center of attention.

Joo Hee-jung shocked the college basketball world by dropping out during his sophomore year to sign with a professional team.

Joo Hee-jung later revealed that the decision was motivated by financial reasons and the desire to help pay for his father's medical bills.

Joo Hee-jung was signed by Wonju Naray Blue Bird, now Wonju DB Promy, and made his KBL debut in November 1997, scoring 4 points and 2 assists against Gyeongnam LG Sakers.

Shin, who played in the same position, was drafted by Naray the following year and Joo Hee-jung signed with Suwon Samsung Thunders in hopes of more playing time.

Joo Hee-jung made the squad for the 2008 World Qualifying Tournament and the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship.

Joo Hee-jung utilized his stamina to mark and defend his opponents despite being much shorter than most of them.

Joo Hee-jung's playing career coincided with what has been dubbed as the KBL's "golden era" of guards and he was often overlooked due to his lack of "flashy" skills.