Pro Basketball Foreign Player Deoham: "I'm Afraid of COVID-19, I Want to Go Home"

The photo shows KT's The Ham (white uniform) playing in the game. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Professional basketball player Alan Durham (32) of Busan KT has decided to return to his home country mid-season due to fears surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

On the 26th, KT stated, "Durham expressed concerns about COVID-19 and said he would not participate in the remaining games of the season," adding, "He will board a flight home on the 27th."

They further explained, "Another foreign player, Byron Mullins (31), initially also said he would not play due to anxiety about COVID-19 but later changed his mind," and "Ultimately, Durham will leave the team mid-season."

On the 25th, the Korean Basketball League (KBL) held an emergency board meeting and announced, "Due to the spread of COVID-19 and the elevation of the national crisis to the 'serious' level, to ensure the safety of professional basketball spectators, the remaining games of this season will be held without spectators until the situation improves."

KT has an away game scheduled against Seoul SK on the 27th. Durham, who joined KT mid-season in 2019-2020, played in 8 games, averaging 11.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.