Sonobupyeong Youth Center members and their parents watched the 2026-2027 KCC Professional Basketball regular season matchup between the Goyang Sono Skygunners and the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus at Goyang Sono Arena on March 3, rookie.co.kr reported. Dae-in Kim, head of the Rookie Youth General Headquarters and director of the Sonobupyeong Youth Center, spoke about the club’s ongoing community outreach and his vision for grassroots basketball development.
Sono Youth Center Members Attend Goyang Home Opener
The Sono professional basketball club provided free access to the 2026-2027 season home opener for youth center members, offering families a firsthand look at professional competition. Kim explained that the partnership began because Sono was a newly established franchise and sat geographically close to the Incheon region.
“At the time, Sono was a new team and a professional club geographically close to the Incheon area,” Kim said, according to rookie.co.kr. “Since the club operates affiliated youth centers directly, we receive a lot of benefits.”
Kim highlighted several collaborative initiatives between the franchise and its youth branches, including dedicated youth days, tournaments hosted at Goyang Sono Arena, and training camps held at Hongcheon Sono Vivaldi Park where the senior team practices. He expressed appreciation for the administrative support provided by the club’s general manager, office director, and managers.
Membership Growth Following Sono Finalist Run
The senior Goyang Sono Skygunners reached the championship series during the previous KCC Pro Basketball season. After finishing fifth in the regular season standings, Sono swept their first-round and semifinal playoff series 3-0 before falling to the KCC Egis in the championship round.
That runner-up finish generated new attention for the organization, alongside national team success that included Sono guard Lee Jung-hyun being part of the South Korean men’s basketball squad at the Asian Games. While the impact on enrollment was steady rather than overwhelming, Kim noted an uptick in public interest.
“While the impact wasn’t drastically felt immediately, there was an effect,” Kim told rookie.co.kr. “Sono finished as runners-up in impressive fashion, and Lee Jung-hyun, who was part of the Asian Games, is also part of the national team.” He added that expectations of rising basketball popularity have brought a steady stream of inquiries from prospective members.
Prioritizing Lifelong Participation Over Early Specialization
In coaching young players directly at the Bupyeong facility, Kim emphasized a philosophy centered on enjoyment and long-term athletic engagement rather than early competitive specialization.
“Rather than developing skills or technique, I think it is most important that the children have fun,” Kim said. “Our biggest objective is to make basketball a lifelong sport. We provide an environment where children can develop an interest in basketball through various experiences.”
Kim added that he wants young participants to learn resilience from professional players while recognizing the strong fan support and broader popularity surrounding the sport.
Next Scheduled Matchup
The Goyang Sono Skygunners continue their 2026-2027 KCC Professional Basketball regular season campaign with upcoming fixtures scheduled on the league calendar.
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