Giant return for Blazer Ha.

(From The Korea Herald)

By Kim Kyung-ho Ha Seung-jin, the first South Korean player to be drafted into the NBA, came home yesterday for a 10-day visit before returning to the United States.

The 19-year-old Ha, who went to Los Angeles last December to prepare for the NBA draft, was picked in the second round, 47th overall, by the Portland Trail Blazers last Thursday.

"I have a sense of duty as the first South Korean NBA player and will succeed by all means necessary," he said when he arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, along with his father, Ha Dong- ki.

The 2.23-meter Ha, the tallest basketball player in South Korea, said his jersey number 5 reflects his will to become one of the five best players in Portland and then maybe one of the five best overall in the U.S. professional basketball league.

Ha, who seemed slimmer than when he left for Los Angeles six months ago, said he had revamped his playing style and had grown accustomed to American basketball.

"I had a really hard time over the past six months," Ha said, adding that he thanks his father for standing by him through this difficult time.