For Katie Timmerman, wearing a Shinhan Bank jersey was the best birthday present of her life.
Incheon Shinhan Bank 안전카지노사이트 selected Timmerman (172.9 cm) with the second pick in the second round of the 2023-2024 WKBL Draft on Thursday at Cheongju Gymnasium. Born to an American father and Korean mother, Timmerman’s dream of knocking on the door of the WKBL as an overseas player has come true.
In fact, Shinhan might not have been able to select Timmerman. However, shortly after the end of the first round, they traded their pick to Busan BNK for guard prospect Shim Soo-hyun, and Timmerman was in their arms.
Shinhan Bank coach Gunadan said, “He played for five years at a second-tier college in the United States. I saw in the video that he has good leadership in the team and can pass well. I felt that he had better skills than the rookies, so I wanted to select him,” he said, explaining why he chose Timmerman.
“Actually, we didn’t plan to trade him, but the draft didn’t go the way we expected, so we suddenly talked to BNK about a trade. A trade was the only way to get Timmerman,” he said, explaining the reasoning behind the trade with BNK.
Just like that, Timmerman was in the arms of Shinhan Bank.
For Timmerman, who celebrated his birthday that day, the Shinhan jersey was the best gift of his life.
“I feel like I got the best birthday present in my life,” said Timmerman, who congratulated Shinhan on joining the team. “I am very proud to be a part of the WKBL. I’m very proud to be a part of WKBL and I’m looking forward to getting started at WKBL.”
“I’m grateful that Shinhan Bank wanted me, even trading up,” he said. I’m impressed that they wanted me even after changing the order of selection, and I feel like I have to work hard.”
Adapting to Korean culture hasn’t been a problem either.
“I’m very familiar with the family culture. I’m used to greetings and gestures like ‘hello’. I’m very close to my grandmother and grandfather, so I don’t feel out of place in Korean culture.” Timmerman says.
Coach Gunadan is excited about Timmerman’s leadership and passing ability. “I totally agree with what he said,” Timmerman said. “As a shooter, I try to be aggressive with and without the ball. I’m confident in my physicality, so I hope to be a great addition to the team on both sides of the ball. I’m three-dimensional and flexible, so I can do whatever the team needs me to do,” Timmerman said, expressing confidence in his new role.