Lee made his debut in the 2015-2016 season and has played exclusively for the Seoul Samsung since then. As a first-time free agent, Lee chose Samsung once again. “Samsung has been my favorite team since I was a rookie,” he told us. I wanted to sign with Samsung more than any other team, and the club thought it was a good idea, so I signed quickly,” he said.
“There are many reasons, but the coach 스포츠토토 asked me to stay, and I kept thinking about the love I received from Samsung, so I wanted to stay with Samsung for the fans,” he said.
Samsung has had a tough time in the last two seasons. They finished last in both. Lee Dong-yeop was also out of the team for a long time due to a shoulder injury, so he said, “The team’s performance in the last two seasons has been very bad, and I’m sorry for that. As a professional player, I have a desire to win. I feel more responsible in that regard,” he said.
“Actually, I’m still thirsty for victory. I’m not used to losing. I want to show a different side next season, and hopefully we can make the playoffs as a team. Personally, I want to do my best and give the team a victory. The fans have been very supportive in this situation. Now we want to give them our strength,” he added.
“I also missed last year because of a shoulder injury. I don’t have any pain now, but I need rehabilitation. I’m still rehabbing and working out. I can get to 100% before the season. It’s not that I can’t play now. But I have to take care of it,” he said about his shoulder injury.
Although Samsung finished last last season, there was hope. The young players grew up and Eun Hee-seok’s style of basketball started to rub off on the team, especially in the first round, where they went 6-4.
“At the beginning of last season, we were injury-free, and it showed in the team atmosphere,” says Lee Dong-yeop. But as players went out with injuries, it became disappointing. I saw hope in that situation. It was the first time for the coach and the first time for us to play basketball. But now we’ve adapted. That’s why I’m looking forward to next year,” he said.
Samsung re-signed Lee Dong-yeop this offseason, but let go of Lee Ho-hyun (184 cm, G). Lee’s role has become more important. Lee said, “Last year, (Lee) Ho-hyun’s contribution to the team as a handler was not small, so I need to take more of that in training and practice games. To do that, I basically have to work harder than last year. Most of all, I need to do more in the offense. That’s what the coach emphasized,” Lee said of his absence.