With the KBL semifinal playoffs just around the corner, fans are paying more attention to Reggie Perry (23, 203 cm), a new foreign player from Changwon LG who is second in the regular league. This season, LG succeeded in going straight to the semifinals after consistently achieving good results. Considering the rich player base and good foreign players, there was a saying that it was the right time to challenge for the championship, but there were variables ahead of the big stage.
‘Prince of Egypt’ Asem Marey (31, 202 cm), who has been consistently active as a foreign player with the first option, is unable to play in the playoffs due to a calf muscle rupture. He hastily brought in Perry as a substitute foreign player, but it is still unknown what kind of performance he will show. Even with a small number of games, there are expectations for the class in that he has played in the NBA until recently, but due to the nature of young players, there are many voices of concern because they have to go through more ups and downs than seasoned players in terms of league adaptation and physical condition problems.
Moreover, since the first actual match was a playoff in a state where there was little time to properly coordinate with the players, the power is likely to change depending on whether or not they adapt. It is known that he is improving his condition, but even if he plays an average role to some extent, even if it is not as much as Marey, it can be of great help to the current LG.
In addition, the fact that the play style is not properly revealed can act as a burden on the opposing team. There were not many foreign players with the name Perry, but all of them were outstanding. In particular, Andre Perry and Pernell Perry remain as impressive memories for fans as they are being talked about even now after quite a long time.
Andre Perry of ‘Showtime’ and Pernell Perry of ‘Little Hercules’
Andre Perry (52‧196cm), who entered the KBL with the 2nd overall pick in the 2001 Foreign Draft wearing Wonju DB (then Sambo) uniform, has a handsome face and flashy play. Boasting showmanship, he gained a lot of popularity, which is rare for a foreign player. He had a lot of fixed fans and is still remembered by quite a few fans. He spent his heyday in the US lower leagues IBA, USBL, Swiss and Dominican leagues, and challenged the KBL league at the age of 31, a rather late age.
Nonetheless, he was regarded as the overwhelming first choice candidate by a number of officials throughout the tryout period. Contrary to expectations, Marcus Hicks, who was younger, was selected as the first pick, but Perry was not inferior in terms of his skills. At the time, Hicks led Daegu Dongyang to the championship in a combination play with Kim Seung-hyun, and many say that the result would not have changed even if Perry was there. The fact that Hicks was chosen as the first choice was simply a difference in taste.
From his first season at DB, Perry has shown his true worth. Even though he had a body type suitable for number 3.5 or number 4, he had to handle the role of a big man due to team circumstances, so opinions were divided among DB fans at the time. From rave reviews saying that he is the best foreign player in the team’s history (until that time), surpassing Jason Williford, there were also quite a few criticisms that he was regretful for being the second overall player. Of course, it is clear that DB’s sluggish performance at the time due to weak power also had an effect on this.
Although he stepped on Korean soil at the point where his heyday had passed, Perry showed a stable performance. He stood out, especially for his defensive part. He was basically fast and had no bad strength, so he blocked well regardless of his opponent’s style, such as his mobility, resilience, or power. Even against Dillon Turner (Mobis), who boasts a beefy physique despite his slender body, and center Ryan Perryman (Orions), who made a name for himself as a rebound machine, he showed his tenacity not to be pushed back in physical fights, and countered agile players with speed equal to him. did.
One of Perry’s specialties was the block shot. At the time, players famous for block shots in the league included Marcus Hicks (Orions), Eric Martin (SK), and Jackie Jones (KCC). The title was taken by Hicks, but assuming they competed again, it was a close match that was not easy to predict, and Perry also deserved to compete well in such a group.
Perry’s block shot was flashy and dynamic. In particular, the ‘chasedown’ block shot, which quickly flies behind the opponent’s back as if kicking it off, drew cheers from those watching. There were not a few cases of changing the flow of the game or even turning the game upside down in a situation of victory or closeness.
His defense was outstanding, but his offense was also formidable. In particular, the performance shown against the league’s best ‘big duo’, Johnny McDowell-Earl Ike, in the last game of the season against Korea Gas Corporation (then Shinsegi) during the DB days was evaluated as good enough to appease the home fans who were disappointed with the sluggish performance.
Against McDowell, he easily released attacks based on his superiority in technique, and when he was hit by Ike, his unique flexible body movements and instant speed shined. At first, he seemed to be pushed back by Ike, who resembles a huge stone statue, but soon, based on his splendid footwork, he found his own rhythm in his offense and defense as the match progressed, and won a complete victory.
The weakness that Perry was commonly pointed out was the simplicity of the attacking options. The post play, which he developed with his excellent motor skills and technique, was impeccable, but overall shooting ability, including the middle shot, was weak. In the fully open state, he boasted his own accuracy, but he did not have the level of throwing by shooting or making it at a fast tempo.
He also pointed out that he was 2% insufficient to play as a Korean-style mercenary. Although he is good at playing behind the net, it is difficult to see him as a center resource due to his poor height. He was the type who had no choice but to play with only 4 hits, and it was a style that was not easy to create a synergistic effect naturally. In that respect, he is one of the foreign players who are curious about what it would have been like if he had played in Korea during his prime.
Andre Perry played for a different team for three seasons and posted decent results. Wonju Sambo (21.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.9 blocked shots), Yeosu Korea Tender (16.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.1 blocked shots), Seoul Samsung (17.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists) , 0.8 steals, 1.3 blocked shots), and averaged 18.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.5 blocked shots in 136 games over three seasons. He had a slender figure reminiscent of a wing resource, but he seldom shot a three-point shot and was mainly active near the post. Surprisingly, his 3-point shooting success rate was high. He didn’t throw much, but he complied with both the Sambo (37.5%) and Samsung (42.9%) days.
⁕ Andre Perry’s most records in a game: goals ☞ 27 November 2001 against Changwon LG = 41 points / assists ☞ 10 November 2001 against Jeonju KCC = 8 / steals ☞ 8 February 2003 against Incheon SK = 4 1 / Block shot ☞ December 27, 2003 Incheon E-Land match = 6 먹튀검증
Pernell Perry (53‧193cm) was not as fast and dynamic as Andre Perry, but his honest play based on the power radiating from his solid body was impressive. Despite his not-so-tall stature, he was not pushed back even when he struggled with a decent tall center. If you look at him as a version of Andre Perry, his mobility and elasticity are slightly down and his power is enhanced. At the time of the draft, evaluations were mixed because of his disappointing height, and as a result, he was able to be selected in the second round in the 2001 draft, when Andre Perry was selected second overall.
Pernell Perry also played mostly near the post rather than outside. He also played three seasons and spent the first season (21.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.9 blocked shots) and the second season (17.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.9 blocked shots) at Anyang SBS, and Busan KTF ( 20.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 1 blocked shot) last season.
When it comes to SBS triple post, the first thing that comes to mind is the Leon Derex-Dennis Edwards-Pyopil Award, but Pernell Perry has also been active as a triple post along with Derricks and Pyopil-sang. He scored less than Edwards, but not so much in terms of power behind the basket and contribution to the team.
Pyo Pil-sang (55‧200cm‧ Pyo Pil-sang Basketball Club) said of Perry at the time, “He wasn’t tall, but as you can see from his muscular, solid body, his strength was really good. When I bumped into it, I felt a sense of intimidation to the point that it felt like colliding with some kind of old tree. His strength, stamina, and spirit were all excellent enough to take the post-up option throughout the game against the opposing center if he decided to go out on a big stage like the playoffs. He was reassuring when on the same side, but he was a burdensome player when he met on the other side.”