“I was worried a lot, but I wanted to spend more time with my family. I felt like I would regret it later.” This was the background for Ahn Young-joon (28, 194.6cm) choosing a full-time reserve role rather than a managing director. There was a time when ‘Hyeonta’ came, but he said, “I’m doing very well now.”
Ahn Young-joon is a rare case among former KBL players serving as a full-time reserve. If a player has a physical class that allows him to enlist in active service, it is common for him to want to serve in Sangmu where he can maintain his sense of the game. If he is a player who has been active as a main player, he is also very likely to pass Sangmu.
Ahn Young-jun played in all 54 regular league games in the 2021-2022 season, recording 14.5 points, 1.8 3-point shots, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals. In the championship match, he scored 17.7 points, 3 3-point shots, 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 3 games, contributing to SK’s first integrated championship. His firepower to and from the outskirts of the city, and depending on the situation, he has leveled up as an airborne and defensive general.
He was in his prime, but as a South Korean man, he cannot avoid the duty of national defense. Ahn Young-joon broke expectations and chose a full-time reserve role rather than a managing director. Full-time reserve service is a system in which a person serves in a field related to homeland defense after completing basic military training at a training center. He works by commuting from home, and is off on public holidays. Of course, there are also vacations.
For full-time reserve service, only those who meet all the criteria of education, physical grade, age, and at least one child can apply, and among them, they are selected electronically. Simply put, it is a lottery. Ahn Young-joon met all the criteria, but as an athlete with top-notch skills, it must have been a difficult decision to give up his position as managing director.
Ahn Young-joon’s daughter, born in September 2021, stepped into her eyes. Ahn Young-jun said, “I had a lot of trouble with managing director and full-time reserve, but I wanted to spend more time with his family. He wouldn’t have time to see a baby like this during his playing career. He thought of his family. I thought I would regret it later.”
Ahn Young-jun enlisted on May 17 last year. He enlisted a day later than players heading to Sangmu, such as Heo Hoon, Song Gyo-chang, and Kim Nak-hyun, and is discharged a day later. He will be discharged on November 16th and will be able to compete in the regular league from the next day he becomes a civilian. Ahn Young-joon laughed, saying, “When I was at the training center, I saw (Huh) Hoon and (Song) Kyo-Chang were selected for the national team, but ‘Hyeonta’ came, but now they are doing very well.”
Ahn Young-jun, who is in charge of mobilization training for the reserve forces, goes to Cheoin-gu Office in Yongin until 9:00 am and leaves at 4:00 pm. “Last year, I couldn’t do mobilization training because of Corona 19, but from this year, I started doing it like before. so it got busier. There are also people who look up and ask, ‘Why are you here?’ (Laughs)먹튀검증.” These are the words of Youngjun Ahn.
After work ends at 4:00 PM, he can do his personal workout to his heart’s content. Although it is difficult to maintain his sense of actual combat, Ahn Young-jun explains that it is “up to oneself”.
Ahn Young-jun said, “There was a bad part in his knee, but he underwent a simple surgery after coming out of the training center, and after rehabilitation, he continued his exercise. He has been well taken care of and his physical condition is very good. He is no different from last season. He thinks that he is not inferior to Sangmu players. He has some parts where he can’t gain real experience, but just because a basketball player hasn’t played for a year doesn’t make him a normal person. Of course, people around me worry about it, but I don’t think I’ll change just because he doesn’t play for a year. In the end, he is up to himself,” he said.
Despite the vacancy of Ahn Young-jun, who played the role of a housekeeper in karate, SK maintains 3rd place. For the third time in the club’s history, it has confirmed its advance to the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, and hopes for a second place jump continue.
“I watched all of our team games. From the point of view of ordinary people, I saw them cheering them on so they wouldn’t get hurt.” If (Choi) Jun-yong hyung and (Choi) Seong-won come back, we will be able to aim for the championship in the playoffs.”
If the team wins the championship while you are away, is there any regret about not being able to receive a bonus or championship ring? Regarding this, Ahn Young-joon said, “It doesn’t matter if I don’t receive the championship ring. I already won 2 times. I think I’ve done a lot compared to my peers, and I can always aim for the championship after being discharged. If our team won this time and also won the season after I was discharged, wouldn’t it be three consecutive losses?” he laughed.
I also felt the importance of the fans. Ahn Young-jun said, “To be honest, it was difficult during the season, so I thought he could take a little breather in the army, but it was a stupid idea. In the army, he felt that he was grateful to receive attention from fans by playing basketball. Everyone didn’t pay attention to me. I think I have to work hard (laughs). He focuses on two things, exercise and family, and is only looking at his military service. I am working hard to improve, so I will return with a more upgraded image.”
On the other hand, full-time reserve service members can also be selected for the national team. Ahn Young-jun said, “I asked the unit if it was not possible, and they said it was possible if they sent an official letter. I participated in the Asian Games as a 3×3 representative five years ago, and this time I want to be selected for the 5×5 team. I think I’ve grown a lot since then. I am building my body thinking about whether I will be called up to the national team.”