"I'll be evaluated for bringing me well."
"I'll get compliments that you brought me well beyond the role you expect me to play" Choi St. Mary's 187 cm tall, G, who became a free agent, chose to join the team. He left his original team Suwon KT to move to Samsung in Seoul. He signed a three-year contract for 250 million won (27,000 U.S. dollars) in compensation for his first season. Choi St. Mary, who was selected as the seventh pick in the first round by Wonju Dongbu (currently Wonju DB) in the 2016 KBL Rookie Draft, was traded to Busan KT (currently Suwon KT) during the 2018-2019 season. In the 2019-2020 season, Choi St. Mary's recorded a career high with 6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 0.6 steals in an average of 18 minutes and 24 seconds in 39 games. In the 2022-2023 season, he played an average of 15 minutes and 32 seconds in 50 games, and was a key six-man with 4.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.8 steals. In a telephone interview with this newspaper, Choi said, "I received good offers from various teams. I really agonized over it. As a result, I decided to challenge myself when I was young. This is why I chose Samsung. I am not the type to measure myself when I meet many teams." "Every team has a main guard. (I) will start as a backup guard. However, my goal is to become a main player. I first considered where I could play. (Kim Hyo-beom) said he will help me challenge myself. He also told me about his challenge. He also said he likes to use dribbles and will create a comfortable environment." What was the 2023-2024 season like for Choi? "The 2023-2024 season was an eventful one. I joined the roster at the beginning of the season, but I was completely excluded by the middle of the season. Due to players' injuries, I received an opportunity in the second half. I performed the role that coach Song Young-jin wanted. I was able to get an opportunity. I was in good physical condition and I could show more. However, injured players and outstanding players returned. There was regret, but I succeeded in showing the value of existence that was my original goal," Choi said. Meanwhile, Samsung has brought in Lee Dae-sung (193 cm, G), Choi Hyun-min (195 cm, F), and Choi St. Mary's from the FA market. Under the leadership of Samsung coach Kim Hyo-beom, the team is in the midst of making a new arrangement. "I transferred under good conditions. You have to feel pressure and responsibility of course. You also have to act as a bridge between the new players and the existing players. I can raise my energy level. I will make my team stronger. Then, I can perform better than the 2023-2024 season. I will try to improve myself," he said. He also said, "There have been few field-fighting attempts. As the coach ordered, we have to attack concisely with pick and roll in the 2-2 game. It is a way to increase field-fighting attempts. All teams consider defense as the basis. I will work hard as I have done. Then, I will be able to show my ability a little more." Lastly, he concluded the interview by saying, "My role is to energize myself. I will raise my energy level. Not only that, but I will also be praised for bringing me back beyond my expected role. Regardless of winning or losing, I will be evaluated as a player who always does his best. I'm sure this is how Samsung fans want to see it."