Women’s Basketball BNK Jinan’s Mother “My daughter doesn’t feel lonely thanks to the fans”
Taiwanese naturalized player Jin An scores double-double against Taiwanese team “I have to support my daughter”
The mother of Taiwanese naturalized women’s basketball player Jin An, 27, of Busan BNK, expressed her gratitude to Korean fans for supporting her on Sunday.
BNK has been representing South Korea in the 42nd William Jones Cup at Heping Gymnasium in Taipei City, Taiwan, since May 5.
Taiwanese-born center Chin An was selected for the South Korean national team after serving a two-year ban for transferring schools during his freshman year of high school.
It was the first time he had played an official game in his home country since moving to Korea.
Coincidentally, on the second day of the tournament, Jinan recorded a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead BNK to a sweep against his home country’s B team, which was comprised of national team regulars.
“I was so happy to see my daughter play in Taiwan,” beamed her mother, Gao Jia-ji, 51, who had been attending the games since day one.
“It’s been six months since I watched her play in Korea during last season’s championship game,” he said. “I can’t help but root for her against Taiwan, and I can see that she played really hard.”
Jinan was ejected midway through the third quarter of the first game against the Iranian national team on Friday for five fouls.
“Maybe he was tired and wanted to rest early,” Gao joked, before speculating that “when I watch him play in person, he seems to be more nervous.”
“I feel the coolest when she blocks an opponent’s shot, and I feel the proudest when she is praised by others,” he added.
Sending his 15-year-old golden girl away to South Korea was not easy for Mr. Gao.
“I didn’t have any relatives or friends in Korea, and if something happened to Jinan, I didn’t think anyone would be able to help me,” Gao recalls. “I also didn’t speak Korean well, so that was my biggest concern.” Today, Gao’s worries are over.
Those worries are now a thing of the past.
“I was really touched to see the fans cheering for Qin An,” Gao said, adding, “I don’t think Qin An will be lonely because of them.”
“I hope you always stay healthy, happy, and do well at what you want to do,” Gao wished Jinan, 스포츠토토맨 who will return to South Korea after the Jones Cup.
