The Bucheon Hana OneQ is a classic underdog in women’s professional basketball. The team has been in the league since the 2012-2013 season after acquiring Shinsegae Basketball, which was disbanded by its parent organization after the 2011-2012 season, and has never made the playoffs since its inception.
In the 2015-2016 season, the team reached the championship game and finished as runner-up, but their entire record was wiped out in the Chelsea Lee scandal that rocked the women’s professional basketball world, and in the 2019-2020 season, they cruised to a third-place finish, but the playoffs were canceled due to COVID-19. In the last two seasons, the team finished a dismal last place with only five and six wins, respectively.
Hana OneQ is showing signs of change this season.
Hana OneQ has three wins (six losses) in nine games this season. They’re still below the 5% win rate, but they’ve already picked up half of their wins from last season. They are tied for fourth place with last season’s runner-up, Busan BNK, and only one game behind third-place Yongin Samsung Life (4-5). While it’s hard to catch up with ‘second-place’ Woori Bank (8-1) and Cheongju KB (7-1), the team is well positioned to compete for a top-four playoff spot.
There are two reasons why Hana OneQ has been different. The first is the presence of veteran Kim Jong-un, who has returned to his home team. Kim, who spent his prime with Hana One Q, moved to Woori Bank for the championship after the 2016-2017 season and won three titles before returning to Hana One Q as a free agent to finish his career.
Hana WonQ had been showing a pattern of playing well and then losing the game due to a series of mistakes in the deciding game, which led to a loss. In the process, the players also showed their lethargy, causing disappointment. However, with Kim Jong-un serving as the team’s centerpiece and inspiring the juniors, the fighting spirit of the Hana WonQ players began to emerge in every play. With ace Shin Ji-hyun staying healthy and center Yang In-young having a career-high season, the team has a solid foundation.
A stronger defense is also an important factor in Hana OneQ’s rebound. Last season, Hana OneQ gave up an average of 75.0 points per game, making them the No. 1 offense in the league. This season, however, they’ve improved dramatically to 63.3 points, a whopping 10 points less than last season. The team’s improved chemistry has been reflected in its defense.