[단독]‘Unconventional’ Sono selected as coach by commentator Kim Tae-sul… “Young blood is needed to resolve the situation” KBL’s youngest head coach is born

Goyang Sono, a professional basketball player, quickly decided to replace coach Kim Seung-gi, who resigned after sparking controversy over assault by throwing a towel at a player. In order to completely revamp the team atmosphere, an unconventional young first-time coach was selected. Commentator Kim Tae-sul (40), the ‘Magic Kid’ who dominated the professional basketball stage as a top guard during his active career, was selected as the new head coach.

A professional basketball official said on the 24th, “Sono pulled out an unconventional card to quickly strengthen the team. “I understand that commentator Kim Tae-sul has been selected as the new coach,” he said. Kim Tae-sul, who has been active as a professional basketball commentator this season, is known to have recently told tvN Sports that he will quit his job as a commentator. Sono Director Lee Ki-wan said in a phone call with a reporter that day, “We haven’t signed the contract yet, but after reviewing five candidates, we selected member Kim Tae-sul. In order to resolve the situation, I thought that a new situation should be created with a young director. “We plan to meet today to negotiate final terms and complete the contract.”

When Kim Tae-sul, born in 1984, officially takes office as head coach, he will become the youngest head coach of 10 professional basketball teams. Sono, who is currently recording 5 wins and 5 losses through 10 games in the 2024-2025 season, is trying to escape the crisis by calming down the chaotic team atmosphere with a young new coach. As a new 40-year-old coach has been appointed, it seems inevitable that the coaching staff under the existing coach Kim Seung-gi will also be replaced.

Sono caused a stir in the match against SK in Seoul on the 10th when coach Kim Seung-gi threw a wet towel at a player entering the locker room after the first half. The player in question has currently left the team and is preparing follow-up measures, including appointing a lawyer. Afterwards, Sono asked KBL to consider whether to hold a finance committee. As the situation grew, coach Kim Seung-gi took responsibility for the controversy and voluntarily resigned on the 22nd. The Sono club announced, “We are looking for a replacement leader due to Coach Seung-gi Kim’s voluntary resignation and plan to appoint one as soon as possible,” and immediately pulled out an unconventional card.

Illustration created by Wonju DB for Kim Tae-sul, who is retiring in 2021. DB provided

Kim Tae-sul is the best point guard in the KBL, who has been considered a genius guard to succeed Kang Dong-hee, Lee Sang-min, and Kim Seung-hyun. After joining SK as the first pick in the 2007 professional basketball rookie draft, he made a brilliant debut by winning the Rookie of the Year award in the first year. In the 2011-2012 season, he contributed to Anyang CheongKwanJang (KGC at the time) winning its first championship. At the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, he won a gold medal as a member of the national team. Taesul Kim reigned as the best guard in the KBL with his outstanding passing sense and game management until he retired from DB in 2021. In his professional career, he played in 520 games and averaged 7.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.

Taesul Kim has been active in various fields since retirement. He showed off his charm by appearing on entertainment programs such as MBC’s ‘King of Masked Singer’ and JTBC’s ‘Must Come Together 2’. He also published a column on his personal blog and recently debuted as a co-author of an essay. In basketball, which is his main occupation, he transformed into a commentator in 2022 and served as a commentator for professional basketball and national team games. Last year, he also served as a temporary coach at his alma mater, Yonsei University.