With the forty-sixth pick in the 2004 draft, the Trail Blazers selected Ha Seung Jin.
Blazers.com: Have you always wanted to be a basketball player?
Ha Seung Jin: When I was in elementary school I knew I was bigger then the other kids. By a whole head. My father worked in a sports marketing company that worked with basketball so I spent time in arenas.
Blazers.com: Was being bigger then the other kids hard on you?
Ha Seung Jin: My father and sister are tall like me. I wasn't much bigger. We talked about the good things being tall brought. I also got to boss the other kids in my neighborhood around.
Blazers.com: Was your father a big influence on you becoming a basketball player?
Ha Seung Jin: He tried to make everything work for me to play. He let me practice other sports and play on the computer so I wouldn't be too focused. They made it easier for me to enjoy basketball.
Blazers.com: What is the strongest asset to your game?
Ha Seung Jin: I think being tall makes the most impact. I can play the post because of it. I do have a problem with defense because I am so tall. When I jump up to block, I collide with my opponent. That makes it hard for me to land.
Blazers.com: How much time do you spend practicing?
Ha Seung Jin: At least four hours a day. One and a half in the morning, and two and a half in the afternoon.
Blazers.com: What does it mean to you to be the first ever Korean to play in the NBA?
Ha Seung Jin: It will be the biggest honor in my life. I have many things to improve. I will try to learn a lot. I want to do my best.
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