*EDIT: Jeff Barker and The Baltimore Sun reported today (1/5) that JSC was leaving the University of Maryland.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/maryland_terps/blog/2010/01/jin_soo_choi_leaving_korea_times_says.html
One of my disappointments of the year, has been the seeming lack of development of Jin Soo Choi.
With a full-year under his belt, I feel there should have been more progression out of him. Even though he is 6’8, it is obviously difficult for him to get minutes at the PF position when he only weights 185 lb’s.
I thought his role on this team, could be coming off the bench against zone defenses, and hitting some 3’s. Through the first 12 games of the season, Choi has only seen action in 8 games, with zero minutes played the last two games.
In his 8 games played, his minute high was 11 against Cincinnati. As a whole, he is averaging just 5 minutes a game. Even with Mosley starting at the 3, and Tucker available in reserve, I would like to see Choi find a way to get a consistent 5-8 minutes a game.
To me, Choi is an easy player to root for. Dealing with a language barrier, and all that that entails. I also think he deserves credit for being willing to come to Maryland a year earlier than he had to. He was originally part of the 2009 class, but joined the 2008 class when need arose. He had to work hard to get into Maryland, and pass the NCAA Clearinghouse.
His lack of production to date, and his frail physique have made many Maryland fans forget that Choi came to College Park with a growing National reputation.
He was never rated as a prospect in the 2008 class, but he was listed (under his former name Jin-Soo Kim) as the 81st player Nationally in the 2009 class, with a rating as high as 42nd overall:
http://www.rscihoops.com/
#81 Pre-Summer 2009
#42 HS Hoop Scoop Clark Francis
#56 SI Scouts Inc
Before Maryland, he gained International experience with the Under-19 team from South Korea, averaging 14.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in the 2007 FIBA World Championships.
Last-year, in the first exhibition game of the season, he had 20 points against Northwood.
It would be good to see him get some-time, and see his confidence start to rise. Lots of teams will zone Maryland to death, and his shooting ability could help. Like always, if you are not playing for Gary Williams, it typically goes back to how the player is practicing.
I guess it also bears repeating, that even though he is in his 2nd year with the program, he is now in the middle of what should be his 1st year in college. Maybe he is just not physically ready to contribute. When he does get on the floor, I see a player that can handle the ball some, and is a decent help defender. His rebounding efforts with the Korean National Team, give me some confidence he could do better than you would expect on the boards. Still, for Choi to earn minutes it will be due to his offense. I know he has the ability to shoot, but he has had trouble with his release at the college level.
It would be interesting to hear what Coach Williams currently thinks of Choi’s development.
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