South KoreanBasketball playerGuardKBL

Doo Kyung-min

Doo Kyung-min is a South Korean basketball point guard currently with Changwon LG Sakers, notably winning the KBL Most Valuable Player Award in 2018 with Wonju DB Promy.

1. Early Life and Education

Doo Kyung-min developed an early passion for basketball during his childhood, even though his father, a former basketball coach, initially opposed his son pursuing a professional career in the sport. Unlike many of his peers in the KBL who attended high schools renowned for their strong basketball programs, Doo chose to attend the nearest high school. While this school had a basketball team, it was not considered a breeding ground for top-tier prospects, leading to Doo being less highly rated in his early athletic career. This choice underscored his commitment to the sport despite not following a conventional path for aspiring professional players.

1.1. Schools Attended

Doo Kyung-min attended the following educational institutions:

  • Songpo Elementary School
  • Baejae Middle School
  • Yangjeong High School
  • Kyung Hee University

2. College Career

Doo Kyung-min was admitted to Kyung Hee University, where he played alongside notable contemporaries such as Kim Jong-kyu and Kim Min-goo. During his freshman year, he primarily served as a substitute player. At that time, Kyung Hee University was not widely recognized as a dominant force in college basketball. However, the collective efforts of Doo, Kim Jong-kyu, and Kim Min-goo eventually propelled the team to remarkable success, securing back-to-back regular season titles, championships, and the prestigious MBC Cup.

Doo earned a reputation as a valuable "behind the scenes" player, often not drawing as much attention as his more acclaimed and skilled teammates but consistently stepping up when the team needed him most. In the 2012 championship finals, he garnered significant recognition after accumulating a combined 54 points across both legs of the series, showcasing his clutch performance. His impactful play led to him being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2012 MBC Cup tournament. In 2013, he played a pivotal role in Kyung Hee reaching the tournament final for the fourth consecutive year, notably orchestrating a comeback from a 20-point deficit to defeat Hanyang University in the semifinals. Despite their strong performances, during his senior year, the Kyung Hee team was unable to overcome Korea University, experiencing losses to them in both the U-League championship and the MBC Cup final.

3. Professional Career

Doo Kyung-min's professional career began with his entry into the Korean Basketball League, where he quickly rose to prominence, becoming a key player for multiple teams.

3.1. Wonju DB Promy (2013-2021)

Doo Kyung-min was selected as the third overall pick in the 2013 KBL rookie draft by Wonju Dongbu Promy. This draft marked a rare occasion in KBL history as the first three picks all came from the same university, Kyung Hee University, rather than from one of the traditionally dominant "big 3" college basketball programs like Yonsei University, Korea University, or Chung-Ang University. His selection as the third overall pick, following his college teammates Kim Jong-kyu and Kim Min-goo, highlighted the exceptional talent emerging from Kyung Hee.

The 2017-18 KBL season proved to be Doo's breakthrough year, as he averaged an impressive 16.45 points and 3.8 assists per game. During this season, Wonju DB Promy topped the league table and advanced to the play-off finals, although they ultimately lost to Seoul SK Knights. Doo's outstanding performance was recognized with the prestigious KBL Most Valuable Player Award, and he was also voted into the KBL Best 5. Despite his stellar individual and team achievements during the season, he faced a controversial omission from the final squads for both the William Jones Cup and the 2018 Asian Games, an unexpected decision given his MVP status.

In May 2018, Doo enlisted for mandatory military service, a requirement for all eligible South Korean men. After completing his basic training, he was assigned to the 상무 농구단Sangmu teamKorean, a military basketball club. He was discharged from military service in January 2020. Immediately upon his return to the KBL, Doo made a significant impact, demonstrating his scoring prowess by accumulating 93.5 points in his first two games back. He quickly formed a strong partnership with shooting guard Heo Ung and his college teammate Kim Jong-kyu, who had joined DB that same season, contributing to the team's improved performance. However, the 2019-20 season ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the cancellation of the play-offs and the forfeiture of the season's results, despite DB finishing at the top of the league table.

The 2020-21 season was challenging for Wonju DB Promy, as the team was severely affected by injuries to key players, resulting in them finishing in ninth place, second to last in the league table. Despite the team's struggles, Doo continued to showcase his individual brilliance. In a January game against Goyang Orions, he executed a thrilling buzzer beater with just one second remaining on the clock, securing a 92-90 victory for DB. This clutch shot was later voted as the Play of the Season at the annual KBL awards ceremony, highlighting his enduring impact. Following this season, Doo was traded to Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, a team previously known as Incheon Electroland Elephants, in exchange for Kang Sang-jae and Park Chan-hee.

3.2. Daegu KOGAS Pegasus (2021-2023)

Upon joining Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, Doo Kyung-min's initial playing time was limited as he continued to recover from an injury and regain peak condition. However, he gradually integrated into the team, forming an effective backcourt partnership with Kim Nak-hyun. Doo's extensive experience complemented Kim's pace, creating a dynamic duo that contributed significantly to the team's offensive strategies and overall performance during his tenure with Daegu KOGAS Pegasus.

3.3. Wonju DB Promy (2023-2024)

Doo Kyung-min returned to Wonju DB Promy for a second stint, playing for the team during the 2023-2024 season.

3.4. Changwon LG Sakers (2024-Present)

As of 2024, Doo Kyung-min is currently playing for Changwon LG Sakers, marking his most recent professional team affiliation.

4. National Team Career

Doo Kyung-min has been a consistent presence on the South Korean national basketball team, though primarily serving as a reserve point guard. His role was often shaped by the strong presence of veteran guards like Park Chan-hee and Kim Sun-hyung, and later by the emergence of younger talents such as Choi Jun-yong, Heo Hoon, and Kim Nak-hyun.

He participated in several significant international qualifiers, including those for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, the 2018 Asian Games, and the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Despite his valuable contributions during these qualification campaigns and his status as a key player in the KBL, Doo did not make the final 12-man roster for any of these major tournaments. However, he was part of the South Korean national team that achieved victory in the 3rd EABA Championship in May 2013, contributing to the team's success in a regional competition.

5. Playing Style and Characteristics

Doo Kyung-min primarily plays as a point guard, a position from which he orchestrates offensive plays and controls the flow of the game. His distinctive playing style is characterized by his exceptional three-point shooting, which is considered his primary strength and a significant threat to opposing teams. Beyond his shooting prowess, Doo has earned a reputation as a "behind the scenes" player. This reflects his willingness to embrace less glamorous but equally crucial roles on the court, often stepping up with impactful plays and leadership when the team needs it most, even if he doesn't consistently draw the spotlight. His ability to contribute effectively in various situations, whether as a primary scorer or a facilitator, underscores his versatility and importance to his teams.

6. Awards and Achievements

Doo Kyung-min has received numerous individual and team honors throughout his college and professional basketball career:

YearAward / AchievementNotes
2012MBC Cup Most Valuable Player
2013EABA ChampionshipWith the South Korean national team
2018KBL Most Valuable Player Award
2018KBL Best 5
2021KBL Play of the SeasonFor his buzzer-beater against Goyang Orions

7. Personal Life

Doo Kyung-min is married to former actress Im Soo-hyun. The couple tied the knot in February 2018. In January 2020, they welcomed their son, marking a significant milestone in their personal lives.