1. Overview
Lee Kum-jin (이금진I Geum-jinKorean; born February 1, 1965) is a former South Korean national women's basketball player who primarily played as a shooting guard. Renowned for her exceptional three-point shooting, she represented South Korea in numerous international competitions, including the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, where she distinguished herself with remarkable shooting percentages. After a prominent career in South Korean professional basketball, she also had a brief stint in the Japanese first-division league.
2. Early life and background
2.1. Birth and education
Lee Kum-jin was born on February 1, 1965. She completed her high school education at Sangmyung Girls' High School (상명여자고등학교Sangmyung Yeoja GodeunghakgyoKorean) in 1983, a pivotal year that marked the beginning of her professional basketball career.
3. Player career
Lee Kum-jin's basketball career spanned several years, marked by her impactful performances in both domestic club play and international competitions as a member of the South Korean national team.
3.1. Early career and club activities
Upon graduating from Sangmyung Girls' High School in 1983, Lee Kum-jin joined the professional club team Sunkyung Chemical (affiliated with SK Group (SK그룹SK GeurupKorean)). She made an immediate impact in her professional debut at the Spring Women's Professional Basketball Tournament in March of the same year. Her outstanding performance earned her the Rookie of the Year award, an honor she shared with Lee Hyung-suk (이형숙Lee Hyeong-sukKorean) of Hankook Cosmetics (한국화장품Hanguk HwajangpumKorean). Throughout her career with Sunkyung Chemical, Lee Kum-jin consistently showcased her individual prowess, often carrying the team's offense. Despite her strong individual performances, the team's overall strength was limited, leading to less prominence in major domestic competitions like the Basketball Festival (농구대잔치NonggudaejanchiKorean).
3.2. National team activities
Lee Kum-jin was a consistent presence on the South Korean national women's basketball team, participating in several significant international tournaments during the 1980s.
3.2.1. Major international competitions (1984-1986)
In June 1984, Lee Kum-jin was initially selected for the national team roster for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. However, an unfortunate injury sustained during training forced her to withdraw, and she was replaced by Kim Eun-suk (김은숙Kim Eun-sukKorean). Consequently, she missed out on being a part of the team that won the silver medal. Despite this setback, she quickly recovered from her injury and was the only additional player called up to the national team for the Asian Women's Basketball Championship held in Shanghai, China, in October of the same year, where she contributed to South Korea's gold medal victory.
In August 1985, Lee Kum-jin traveled to Colorado Springs, United States, to participate in the inaugural 1st World Junior Women's Basketball Championship. As a key player in the starting five and the team captain, she led the South Korean team to the finals. Her individual performance was notable, scoring 24 points against Australia and 23 points against China. She maintained an average of 16.3 points per game throughout the tournament, placing her 7th in individual scoring. Her consistent selection continued into 1986, as she consecutively participated in the Asian Women's Basketball Championship, the World Women's Basketball Championship, and the Asian Games.
3.2.2. 1988 Seoul Olympics performance
Lee Kum-jin's most celebrated international appearance came at the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul, South Korea. Although Choi Kyung-hee (최경희Choi Gyeong-heeKorean) took the primary starting shooting guard position, Lee Kum-jin played a crucial role as a highly effective sixth man. Her performance was particularly impressive, especially her three-point shooting. In the first preliminary round game against Australia, she scored a team-high 19 points, which included five three-pointers. She continued her impactful play in the second game against the Soviet Union, sinking three-pointers en route to 17 points.
Throughout the tournament, Lee Kum-jin played an average of 23.2 minutes per game and averaged 15.2 points, ranking 9th in individual scoring among all tournament participants. She topped multiple statistical categories for three-point shooting, recording an exceptional 64.5% three-point field goal percentage, making 20 three-pointers in total, and averaging 4.0 three-pointers per game, all of which were the highest in the tournament.
3.3. Retirement and post-retirement activities
Lee Kum-jin officially retired from active play in March 1989, concluding her career with Sunkyung Chemical after participating in the Basketball Festival All-Star Game. Following her retirement from South Korean professional basketball, she briefly moved to Japan and played for Mitsubishi Electric, a team in the Japanese first-division league.
4. Affiliated teams
Throughout her playing career, Lee Kum-jin was affiliated with the following teams:
- Sangmyung Girls' High School
- Sunkyung Chemical / SKC
5. Legacy and reception
5.1. Achievements and records
Lee Kum-jin's career was marked by notable achievements, particularly her exceptional three-point shooting. Her statistical dominance in three-point shooting at the 1988 Seoul Olympics stands out as a unique record, demonstrating her prowess as one of the premier long-range shooters of her era. Her individual scoring contributions, especially in major international tournaments, underscored her importance to the South Korean national team. While her club teams sometimes struggled, her individual brilliance was consistently recognized.
6. Personal life
Public information regarding Lee Kum-jin's personal life, including marriage, family relations, and hobbies, is limited.