1. Overview
Choi I-saem (최이샘Korean), born on August 17, 1994, and formerly known as Choi Eun-sil (최은실Korean), is a prominent South Korean professional basketball player. She plays as a forward for Incheon Shinhan Bank S-Birds in the WKBL and is also a key member of the South Korean national team. Throughout her career, Choi has achieved significant milestones, including winning the WKBL Most Improved Player (MIP) and Sixth Woman Award in 2017, and the WKBL 2-point Field Goal Award in 2018. On the international stage, she earned a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games as part of the national squad and participated in the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
2. Life
Choi I-saem's life in basketball began with her entry into the professional league after her birth and a notable name change.
2.1. Birth and Name Change
Choi I-saem was born on August 17, 1994. She was originally known by her birth name, Choi Eun-sil (최은실Korean). At some point in her career, she underwent a name change to Choi I-saem (최이샘Korean). This practice of changing names after debuting in the WKBL is not uncommon among players.
2.2. Start of Playing Career
Choi I-saem began her professional basketball journey when she was selected as the second overall pick in the first round of the 2013 WKBL Rookie Draft. She was drafted by Chuncheon Woori Bank Hansae, which later became Asan Woori Bank Wibee. This marked the official start of her career in the Women's Korean Basketball League.
3. Club Career
Choi I-saem has played for two major clubs in the Women's Korean Basketball League, showcasing her skills and contributing to team successes.
3.1. Asan Woori Bank Wibee
Choi I-saem spent the majority of her early and mid-career with Asan Woori Bank Wibee, joining the team after being drafted in 2013. She remained with the Woori Bank team until the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season. During her tenure, she developed into a key player, earning individual accolades such as the WKBL Most Improved Player and Sixth Woman Award in 2017, and the WKBL 2-point Field Goal Award in 2018.
3.2. Incheon Shinhan Bank S-Birds
Following the 2023-2024 season, Choi I-saem made a significant move as a free agent. She transferred to Incheon Shinhan Bank S-Birds, where she continues her professional career.
4. National Team Career
Choi I-saem has been a consistent presence on the South Korean national team, representing her country in various international competitions. She was first selected to the national team in 2018.
5. Achievements and Awards
Choi I-saem has accumulated several significant individual and team awards throughout her career, highlighting her contributions to both her club and the national team.
5.1. Individual Awards (WKBL)
In the Women's Korean Basketball League, Choi I-saem has been recognized for her exceptional performance and growth:
- WKBL Most Improved Player (MIP): 2017
- WKBL Sixth Woman Award: 2017
- WKBL 2-point Field Goal Award: 2018
5.2. National Team Awards
As a member of the South Korean national team, Choi I-saem has contributed to medal-winning performances:
- 2018 Asian Games -
Silver medal Silver Medal
5.3. Major Tournament Participation
Choi I-saem has participated in several high-profile international basketball tournaments, representing South Korea.
5.3.1. FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup
She was part of the South Korean squad that competed in the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
5.3.2. Asian Games
Choi I-saem participated in the 2018 Asian Games, where her team secured a silver medal.
6. Statistics
The following table details Choi I-saem's season-by-season statistics throughout her professional career in the WKBL. The statistics include games played (G), average minutes per game (MPG), shooting percentages (2P%, 3P%, FT%), and per-game averages for rebounds (RPG), assists (APG), steals (SPG), blocks (BPG), and points (PPG). Bolded values indicate her personal bests in each category.
6.1. Season Statistics
| Season | Team | G | MPG | 2P% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Woori Bank | 4 | 02:01 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.25 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.25 | 0.00 |
| 2015 | Woori Bank | 8 | 08:32 | 29.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.50 | 0.63 | 0.13 | 0.13 | 1.25 |
| 2016 | Woori Bank | 34 | 20:47 | 45.0 | 38.2 | 65.2 | 3.44 | 0.47 | 0.56 | 0.41 | 6.09 |
| 2017 | Woori Bank | 34 | 17:05 | 46.0 | 29.5 | 82.4 | 3.29 | 0.38 | 0.38 | 0.26 | 4.35 |
| 2018 | Woori Bank | 35 | 28:00 | 56.4 | 37.6 | 74.2 | 4.54 | 1.09 | 0.77 | 0.40 | 8.94 |
| 2019 | Woori Bank | 23 | 18:48 | 48.7 | 28.3 | 93.3 | 3.26 | 0.91 | 0.48 | 0.22 | 5.61 |
7. Personal Life
Beyond her professional basketball career, details about Choi I-saem's personal life are not widely publicized. Her most notable personal detail publicly known is her name change from Choi Eun-sil to Choi I-saem.
8. Evaluation and Impact
Choi I-saem's career trajectory showcases her development from a promising draft pick into a recognized player in the WKBL and a valuable asset to the national team. Her individual awards, particularly the Most Improved Player and Sixth Woman awards, highlight her significant growth and impact coming off the bench. Her consistent performance, especially her strong 2-point field goal percentage in 2018, demonstrates her offensive efficiency. Her participation and medal win at the Asian Games further solidify her standing as an important figure in South Korean women's basketball.