Kibeom Park can be sure of one thing – his success will not be lost in translation.
The 14-year-old student from the Lutheran School of Flushing & Bayside came to America two years ago to live with his aunt. The student visa he arrived on is more than just a ticket into this country; it is also a permission slip for him to enjoy sports.
“In Korea, there is a notion that you have to study all the time in order to be a good student. They do not allow sports,” said Park. “But here, you can study and play sports at your own will.”
Living on the other side of the world away from his parents and sisters is difficult for him, but Park believes the experience will leave him with a sure-shot at success.
Park is an English as a Second Language (ESL) student who sometimes needs a translator to help him with the finer points of the language. This is what makes basketball so enjoyable for Park; language obstacles do not exist on the court.
“I have trouble with English in class sometimes,” he said. “But I don’t feel any of that difficulty when I’m playing basketball.”
Nicholas Singh, coach of the Lutheran School Tigers, said that Park’s workman-like attitude has garnered him respect from the coaching staff and players alike. The shooting guard is never one to demand the ball; yet somehow, the ball always seems to find him.
“He’s not necessarily the most talented player on the team, but he has the most heart and the most character,” said Singh. “He’s got an unselfish style of play and sets a good example for his teammates.”
What impresses Singh most about Park is the kid’s ability to focus so well and work so hard without the immediate support of his parents.
“He’s here with a guardian, and yet he’s doing extremely well,” said Singh. “Not only is he doing well in class, but he’s also progressed into the superstar of the team.”
When Park first joined the Tigers, Coach Singh had him playing mainly defense. It wasn’t until his second year on the team that Singh noticed Park had a scorer’s touch and thus gave him more offensive responsibility.
Park’s speed is his greatest asset on the court, that and his adherence to his coach’s teamwork centered style of play. Park knows that if the team is not all on the same page, their chances of winning are slim to none.
That is what happened in the Tigers’ recent loss in the league championship game. Park knows the outcome could have been different had the players worked together in putting their coach’s game plan into action.
“We got away from our game plan in the finals,” he said. “You cannot win without teamwork. Also, rebounding and scoring would have helped, too.”
The Tigers were held to only 13 points in that game, prompting Coach Singh to call it their “worst game of the season.” The loss was difficult for Park who said that he had gotten used to winning after two remarkable seasons.
“I want to play. And when I play, I want to win,” he said. “The best part of playing basketball is stealing victory away from the other team.”
On the other hand, winning is not always what is most important to Park. What he wants most out of sports, and life in general, is to have fun. He enjoys computer games and karaoke, anything that allows him and his friends the time to goof off.
“Even with school and practice, I always have plenty of time for fun. What I don’t want is to just work all the time,” he said. “You need to have friendships, and to strengthen those friendships you have to make time for fun.”
In the fall, Park will attend high school at St. Mary’s Prep in Manhasset, Long Island. He said he definitely wants to keep playing basketball, something he dreams of doing professionally one day.
Coach Singh believes that the future is wide open for Park, and that his intelligence and even-keeled personality will translate into success.
“Of all the kids I have ever coached, he is probably the finest combination of athlete and student,” said Singh. “And making it to St. Mary’s illustrates that.”
