‘Queen Danbee’ shined in Japan…even a tribute video was prepared for Kim Danbee
Kim Dan-bi (Woori Bank) shined in Nagoya, Japan.
On March 3, Kim Dan-bi represented the W-League All-Star Game 2023-2024 in Aichi at the Toyoda Kosei Memorial Gymnasium in Nagoya, Japan. As she entered the arena to cheers from the Japanese fans, Kim introduced herself and said, “Thank you for inviting me to such a great event.”
After playing in the All-Star Game, Kim said, “We came here to take a break after the season ended. We thought we would have fun because it was an all-star game. However, the Japanese players seem to be used to working hard. The retired players also worked hard, so I wonder if we caused them any inconvenience. Next time we have a chance, we’ll try harder,” he said.
Before the third quarter, there was a special event at halftime. The WJBL organized a tribute video for Kim Dan-bi, who announced her retirement from the national team after the Asian Games (AG) in Hangzhou last year. After the tribute video, Kim took the court to much applause.
“I was really surprised, I was standing outside and I was very surprised to see myself in the video, and it meant a lot to me because I didn’t have my phone with me, so I asked the person next to me to take a picture,” she said, adding, “Thank you for the wonderful introduction. It was a great introduction, and I’m going to make sure I finish the rest of my career in style.”
Kim donned a Donggun jersey in the third quarter of the W-League GREATEST25 All-Star Game, playing alongside former and current W-League legends voted on by Japanese basketball fans and experts. She played more minutes than expected. After playing five minutes in the third quarter, Kim returned in the fourth quarter.
“This time, there were older players like (Kim) Jung-eun, (Lee) Kyung-eun, and me. “I was told that I would only have to play for three to five minutes and have fun,” she said. “But when I got there, I was surprised at how fast and dynamic the game was. I think I was out of breath for the first time in a long time,” he laughs.
Kim Dan-bi’s breakthroughs during the match also added to the fun of the All-Star game, as she and fellow Western All-Star Maki Takada had a hilarious 사설토토 scene. The two had previously faced off against each other for Hanil in Hangzhou AG. Kim finished with four points, two rebounds, and one steal.
“I don’t have much contact with Takada and Machida Rui. But we competed on the national team for a long time, and even though we haven’t been in touch, we know each other’s faces and played at the same time.“ ‘Before the game, we joked around, saying, ’My legs hurt,‘ and ’Please be gentle,’” he recalled.
On the second day, Kim Dan-bi competed in the Skills Challenge. Among the finalists, Nako Motohashi took first place with an impressive time of 26.20 seconds. “I was surprised that I was able to hit a three-pointer in 26 seconds,” Kim said. I’ve never competed in a Skills Challenge in Korea before. It’s my first time in Japan, and I’m a little unsure of myself. I want to compete with the Japanese players for speed.”
The Japanese press was also interested. When asked about her plans for the rest of her career, Kim said, “I just retired from the national team. I don’t know how many years I will play. I think five years at the most. I’ll work hard for the rest of my time, just as Japan remembers me as a great player. I want to be remembered as a wonderful player by everyone who watches me,” she said.