KUALA LUMPUR: There is a huge opportunity beckoning for youngster Teoh Yi Kang.
The 17-year-old point guard impressed the Westports Malaysia Dragons during two trial stints — the Hualien International Invitation in Taiwan last month and the recent Maba International Invitation.
And the Dragons have now offered the Perak-born an opportunity to play in the Asean Basketball League (ABL).
Yi Kang, who also featured for Malaysia Pro League (MPL) winners Farmco Touch Up, hopes to make use of this opportunity to improve his game.
“I want to grab this opportunity to play in the ABL. It's not every day that an offer like this comes by,” said Yi Kang.
“But I know that I still need to work very hard and keep on improving.
“For me though, the chance to play in the ABL represents a new start to my career.
“I know I've done well as a junior but I don't want to look back too much because that's all in the past now. I am focused on improving myself,” said Yi Kang, who led Malaysia to a silver medal at the 2017 Southeast Asian Basketball (SEABA) Under-17 Championships.
Additionally, Yi Kang, who stands at 1.72m, is also out to prove that his height will not be an obstacle in the sport.
“Height definitely matters in basketball and right now I don't know if I will grow any taller,” admitted the former national junior captain.
“But that's the challenge for me and I have to work on other aspects of the game, be smarter on the ball to show my worth.”
Meanwhile, Perak Basketball Association vice-president Gary Lim, who signed the initial contract since Yi Kang is still a junior, believes the youngster should make use of this chance to spread his wings.
“Yi Kang is smart and hardworking with a really good vision. He is also very serious, and he fully deserves this chance to play at a higher level,” said Gary.
“We are happy to let him go because he needs this exposure to continue developing as a player.”
Yi Kang will serve as an understudy to American point guard Amir Bell for the ABL.
The Dragons will start their ABL campaign against the Taipei Fubon Braves on November 17.