The Seoul Samsung Thunders professional basketball team announced that it has appointed Kim Sang-sik (58) as its new head coach.

The club stated, "Coach Kim Sang-sik is a leader who possesses a rich basketball philosophy and excellent tactical management skills, built through his long career as both a player and a coach. He is a leader who has earned high trust both inside and outside the club."

A graduate of Yangjeong High School and Korea University, Coach Kim began his playing career at Industrial Bank of Korea in 1991, where he was known for his exceptional three-point shooting ability and mobility.

After retiring as a player, he built his coaching career by serving as the head assistant coach for Anyang SBS-KT&G, head assistant coach and head coach for Daegu Orions, and head assistant coach for Samsung.

From 2018 to 2021, he led the South Korean men's national basketball team as head coach.

In 2022, he returned as the 10th head coach of Anyang KGC Ginseng Corporation, where he proved his leadership by achieving a combined championship, winning both the 2022-2023 regular season and the championship series in his first season.

Samsung has been struggling, finishing at the bottom of the regular season standings for five consecutive seasons since the 2021-2022 season.

(Photo: Courtesy of Samsung Thunders, Yonhap News)