He enjoyed the regular league championship ceremony with a more humorous expression than anyone else, but when asked about his determination, he soon threw a vote with a serious expression. Omari Spellman (26, 203cm) is still hungry.

Anyang KGC held the 2022-2023 SKT Adot Pro Basketball Regular League championship ceremony at Anyang Gymnasium on the 26th. With the magic number 1 left behind, KGC started a home game against Wonju DB with the news of the defeat of 2nd place Changwon LG delivered and the championship confirmed. KGC won 76-71 after a close match, and was able to proceed with the championship ceremony more pleasantly.

Spellman’s attack power fell below expectations. His field goal rate stayed at 26.7%, and he only scored 15 points, which was below the average score (20 points) he had been recording before the game that day. However, he struggled against DB’s goal with Lenard Freeman and Kim Jong-kyu at the fore, including 14 rebounds and 3 blocked shots and 4 assists.

Also, the 3-point shot only succeeded in 1 out of 8, but it was a shot that played a big role in helping KGC win. Spellman fired a 3-point shot that widened the gap to 5 points 1 minute and 8 seconds before the end of the game, and KGC broke off DB’s pursuit after reorganizing the line by requesting an operation time.

It was a victory that brightened Yang Hee-jong’s retirement ceremony, so the meaning was doubled. Spellman said, “I was moved by the thought that it was the last home game with Yang Hee-jong in the regular league. I also felt sad watching his retirement ceremony. Yang Hee-jong is a leader who has had a tremendous influence on the team. He always showed only the appearance of a good leader. He will be remembered as a player who gave his best on and off the court.”

When asked how he felt about winning the regular season, Spellman said, “It feels great. I think I’ve done a great job, but my mission isn’t over yet. The championship game remains,” he said.

KGC, who went straight to the semifinals, will face the winners of the semifinals in the 4th and 5th places. According to the current standings, Changwon LG, Seoul SK, and Jeonju KCC will play the 6th and 4th rounds from the opposite seed to KGC. 안전놀이터

KGC made it to the championship match last season, but was pushed back to SK by 1 win and 4 losses, breaking the formula of ‘advancing to the championship match = winning’. The 2022-2023 season, which aims for the fourth championship in his career, is Yang Hee-jong’s retirement season, and Oh Se-geun and Moon Seong-gon become free agents after the season ends. Byun Jun-hyeong also enlisted and will be away for the time being. In other words, it is a season worthy of being called the ‘last dance’ for KGC.

Spellman said, “My priority is to advance to the championship game, so it doesn’t matter who comes up. It would be meaningful in itself if we meet again with SK, who suffered last season, but we are ready to fight no matter who comes up. I will fight well.”