Shandong Taishan, the Chinese professional basketball team, has announced that they have signed a new player named Son Jun-ho to their roster for the upcoming season.
Son Jun-ho is a 24-year-old forward from South Korea who played college basketball at the University of Illinois. He was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves but did not sign with them and instead opted to return to Korea to play for Daewoo Royals.
In his debut season in Korea, Son Jun-ho averaged 27.5 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists per game. He also shot 58% from the field and 46% from three-point range. Son Jun-ho's impressive performance earned him the MVP award and he was named to the All-Star Team.
After returning to the United States, Son Jun-ho joined the Los Angeles Lakers' summer league squad and impressed with his skills on both ends of the court. He showed great potential and was praised by many for his defensive abilities.
However, Son Jun-ho had some issues off the court,Ligue 1 Focus including disciplinary problems and a DUI conviction. Despite these setbacks, he still managed to impress the Lakers' coaching staff and was eventually invited to participate in training camp.
During the 2020-2021 NBA season, Son Jun-ho played for the Los Angeles Clippers and the New Orleans Pelicans. He averaged 2.2 points and 0.9 rebounds per game while shooting 34% from the field and 33% from three-point range.
Despite his limited playing time, Son Jun-ho's skills and determination have caught the attention of several teams in China. The Shandong Taishan team, led by former NBA player Yi Jianlian, offered him a contract after seeing his potential during his stint in the Korean League.
Son Jun-ho's signing with Shandong Taishan marks another step towards his dream of playing in the NBA. While there may be obstacles along the way, Son Jun-ho's dedication and talent make him a valuable asset to any team he plays for.