Kim Seung-hyun (basketball)

Kim surprised recruiters and observers by choosing Dongguk University instead of one of the "big 3" college basketball programs (Yonsei University, Korea University and Chung-Ang University).[4] He drew the attention of KBL scouts for his flashy style of play and passing skills, which stood out despite Dongguk's poor results in collegiate competitions.[6]

Kim was the third overall pick of the 2001 KBL rookie draft and was drafted by Daegu Tongyang Orions. Prior to the draft, pundits had speculated that his height would be a stumbling block to him succeeding at professional level and it affected his draft ranking; ironically, the other two players picked ahead of him all had less successful careers. He was immediately integrated into the main team during the 2001–02 season, playing in 54 games. In his first full season, he took the league by storm, averaging 12.2 points and 8.0 assists. They would go on to win the KBL Championship that season. At the end of the season, Kim was voted into the Best 5 and won both the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, an unprecedented feat that has never been repeated ever since.[7] Together with foreign recruit Marcus Hicks and domestic stars such as Chun Hee-chul and Kim Byung-chul, the Orions became known for their offensive style which combined the players' strengths with flashy skills. It came to an end when Orions relocated to Goyang and Hicks and Chun both moved to other clubs.[2] While his later seasons were mired by the team's poor league standings and a recurring back injury, he led the league in assists for another three seasons.[1]

Kim did not play for the entire 2010–11 season due to a controversial lawsuit he had filed against the Orions. He had been negotiating a renewed contract for a raised salary when changes in the team's management and the KBL's rules regarding salary caps led to a disagreement which then escalated into a public spat. The new management felt that his requested figure was too high and did not match his performances. When Kim refused to back down, the management sought to nullify his contract by any legal means and Kim filed a civil lawsuit against them, the first time in domestic basketball a player has taken his own team to court. As Kim was neither able to play for his own team or transfer to another team, the KBL removed him from its list of registered players for that season, the first time such action had been taken against a player. The KBL stated that the action was taken for practical reasons and reiterated its official stance that both parties should settle their dispute privately.[8] He dropped the lawsuit after he and the management both agreed to enter into mediation rather than engage in a protracted battle in court.[7]

After the lawsuit ended, Kim was traded to Seoul Samsung Thunders for the 2011–12 season.[7] His final years were plagued by injury, poor form and the Thunders' poor results in the league. Furthermore, the domestic game became more defense-oriented and players with tall and large physiques were more preferred, leaving players like Kim at a disadvantage.[2] He eventually retired at the end of the 2013–14 season.[9]