The bunny shots

Something I look forward to every week is going to play basketball at Yonsei University. Yonsei is one of the top 3 schools in Korea, and I would say it's equivalent in the US would be either Yale or Harvard. Anyway, I've been lucky enough to have been introduced to The Rebels, a well-established intramural team, and all the guys have been extremely welcoming. I feel really lucky.

Since I'm not a student, I can only practice with the guys but it's still a lot fun. The team has a strong alumni network, so I often play alongside graduates who are all tough businessmen that talk a lot of trash. It's hilarious. The general trend that I've noticed is that Koreans don't have the best handle, so they compensate with pretty strong shooting. This makes it pretty fun for me to teach some moves to the basket, and emphasize the use of the left hand. It's nice to hear the ooohs and aaaahs when I go up with my left.

Last week I had some free time so I finally got to check out one of their games. The Rebels were more sharp on all points. They had official uniforms, set plays, and clearly understood the fundamentals of team basketball (the other team wore pennies and looked really really confused).

While it would be fun to suit up and play for the team, this one was kind of a bloodbath. From what I hear, the other teams at Yonsei are pretty good, and it will be a tough season for the Rebels.

Looks like something really funny is going on at the scorers table! My guess is that they're trying to figure out the 93 second shot clock.

After the game I went with my friend beck (which means 100 in Korean; it's his nickname) to meet HJ, one of his friends from high school. HJ's girlfriend tagged along.

HJ with his girlfriend, who's doing the Maculay Culkin.

I was a bit nervous before meeting the two because Beck kept on telling me to only speak Korean. However, after a few drinks and realizing that HJ studied abroad in Philadelphia, we had a really great time. HJ told me that he would often find himself in sketchy situations late at night in North Philly. Dudes would be sizing him up, so his strategy was to seem crazy. He would light a cigarette on the subway, elevator, or anywhere you're not supposed to smoke, and guys usually backed off. It was also pretty funny hearing him try to remember all the tree street names.

Pink shirt, red face. I forget the name of the guy in the white hoodie, but that's "Coach Beck" displaying the fists. Peace signs don't cut it when you're tough, I guess.