'KBL's First Unanimous MVP' Lee Jung-hyun Named MVP of Round 6
With the 2023-2024 season of the Korean Women's Professional Basketball League coming to a close with Asan Woori Bank winning the championship, the free agency (FA) market is set to open on May 5, and clubs are expected to engage in a fierce 'recruitment war'.
The Korean Women's Basketball League (WKBL) announced 20 free agents on Wednesday, including Park Ji-hyun, Park Hye-jin, Choi Yi-sam, and Na Yoon-jung of the two-time defending champions, as well as Busan BNK's key players Jin An and Ahn Hye-ji.
Others include Incheon Shinhan Bank's Kim Sonia, Yongin Samsung Life's Shin Isul, and Cheongju KBank's Yum Yoon-ah. These players attract a lot of attention due to their big names and immediate power.
The first round of free agents who can exercise their free agency rights after their debut are Park Ji-hyun, Na Yoon-jung, Shin Isul, Lee Hye-mi (Shinhan Bank), and Kim Dan-ah (Hana OneQ).
They will first negotiate with their original clubs during the first negotiation period, and if the negotiations are unsuccessful, they will start negotiating with other clubs during the second negotiation period.
The 15 secondary free agents who can negotiate with all clubs from the first negotiation period are Kim Dan-bi, Kim Han-bi, and Park Hye-mi (Samsung Life), Kim Sonia, Kim Ah-reum, and Lee Hae-eun (Shinhan Bank), Park Hye-jin and Choi Yi-sam (Woori Bank), Kim Sion and Yang In-young (Hana OneQ), Kim Han-byul, Ahn Hye-ji, and Jin-an (BNK), and Shim Sung-young and Yum Yoon-ah (KB).
Ahn Hye-ji and Jin-an's stock has risen as they lead the league in assists and second in rebounds, respectively, despite their team BNK finishing last. Ahn dished out 7.7 assists and Jin grabbed 10.4 rebounds per game.
Starting this year, the free agency period has been shortened from 30 days to 20 days. There will be three rounds of negotiations.
The first round of negotiations will be held from May 14 to 5 p.m. and the second round will be held from May 15 to 5 p.m.
If a player is unable to sign a contract during the first and second periods, they will be able to hold a third and final round of negotiations with their original club from May 20-22 at 5pm.
If a free agent transfers to another club, the original club can choose to offer one compensation player (excluding protected players) or cash compensation, depending on the rules.