1. Overview
Mun Tae-yeong, born Gregory Lee "Greg" Stevenson on February 10, 1978, is an American-born Korean basketball player. A 6.5 ft (1.98 m) forward, he is notable for his extensive professional career across various international leagues and his significant impact on the Korean Basketball League (KBL) after naturalizing as a South Korean citizen. His career highlights include multiple championships in the KBL and representing the South Korea national team. His naturalization, along with that of his brother, played a role in the social and cultural landscape of South Korean professional basketball.
2. Early Life and Background
Mun Tae-yeong was born Gregory Lee "Greg" Stevenson on February 10, 1978. He later adopted the Korean name Mun Tae-yeong (문태영Mun Tae-yeongKorean, Hanja: 文泰榮Mun Tae-yeongKorean).
2.1. High School and College Career
Stevenson attended Fayetteville High School in North Carolina, United States. After high school, he committed to Penn State University, where he played college basketball from 1996 to 1998. Subsequently, he transferred to University of Richmond and continued his collegiate career there for two additional seasons.
3. Professional Career
Mun Tae-yeong embarked on his professional basketball career in 2001, initially playing in Europe before making a significant move to the Korean Basketball League (KBL). Throughout his career, he also participated in other international leagues, showcasing his versatility and global experience.
3.1. Early International Career
Mun began his professional journey in 2001 with the German team MTV Gießen. Following his stint in Germany, he continued to play for several teams in various European countries, including France, the Netherlands, and Hungary, gaining diverse international experience before joining the Korean Basketball League.
3.2. Korean Basketball League (KBL) Career
Mun Tae-yeong's tenure in the Korean Basketball League marked a pivotal phase of his career, characterized by his naturalization as a South Korean citizen and a period of sustained success, particularly with the Ulsan Mobis Phoebus.
3.2.1. Naturalization and KBL Debut
Mun Tae-yeong participated in the 2009 KBL naturalized mixed-race player draft, where he was selected as the third overall pick by the Changwon LG Sakers. His younger brother, Jarod Stevenson (who also later adopted the Korean name Moon Tae-jong), followed suit, being selected as the first overall pick by the Incheon Elephants in the 2010 KBL naturalized mixed-race player draft. From the 2010-11 season onwards, both brothers played concurrently in the KBL.
Prior to his naturalization, Mun Tae-yeong retained his American citizenship. Consequently, unlike other mixed-race players such as Jeon Tae-Pung and Lee Seung-Jun, he was not eligible for the 2010 Asian Games roster. He, along with his brother Moon Tae-jong, officially acquired South Korean citizenship on July 21, 2011, paving the way for his full integration into South Korean basketball.
3.2.2. Success with Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
For the 2012-13 season, Mun Tae-yeong transferred from the Changwon LG Sakers to the Ulsan Mobis Phoebus, a move that was permitted under the KBL's regulations at the time. His time with Ulsan Mobis Phoebus was highly successful, as he played a crucial role in the team securing three consecutive KBL championships in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
3.2.3. Later KBL Career
After the conclusion of his three-year contract with Ulsan Mobis Phoebus following the 2014-15 season, Mun Tae-yeong became a free agent. In June 2016, he transferred to the Seoul Samsung Thunders. He continued his career with the Seoul Samsung Thunders from 2015 until his retirement in 2020.
3.3. Other International League Career
During the KBL off-seasons, Mun Tae-yeong also played in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), the professional basketball league in Puerto Rico. He notably represented the Piratas de Quebradillas during the summers of 2009 and 2011, reaching the BSN finals with the team on both occasions.
3.4. Teams Played For
Throughout his professional career, Mun Tae-yeong played for a variety of teams across different leagues and countries:
- MTV Gießen (Germany): 2001 onwards
- Various teams in France, the Netherlands, and Hungary.
- Piratas de Quebradillas (Puerto Rico): Summers of 2009 and 2011.
- Changwon LG Sakers (South Korea): 2009-2012.
- Ulsan Mobis Phoebus (South Korea): 2012-2015.
- Seoul Samsung Thunders (South Korea): 2015-2020.
4. Personal Life
Mun Tae-yeong has a brother, Jarod Stevenson, who is also a professional basketball player. Like Mun Tae-yeong, Jarod Stevenson naturalized as a South Korean citizen and competed in the KBL.
5. Legacy and Impact
Mun Tae-yeong's career, particularly his naturalization and subsequent success in the KBL, had a significant impact on South Korean basketball. As a naturalized player, he, alongside his brother, became prominent figures in the league, contributing to a new era where players of Korean heritage born overseas could represent South Korea and play a major role in the domestic league. His contributions to the Ulsan Mobis Phoebus's three consecutive championships solidified his legacy as one of the KBL's impactful forwards. His presence and achievements helped broaden the scope of talent in the KBL and fostered greater public interest in the league's diverse player roster.