Overcoming parental objections to becoming the first South Korean referee in NBA history
Witness the incredible journey of a South Korean referee who defied all odds to reach the pinnacle of officiating in the NBA From parental objections to his passion for basketball, to making history on the court, this inspiring story will leave you in awe
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Being in the prime spot within the arena, right next to the top-notch athletes showcasing their extraordinary athleticism and skill, comes with its drawbacks. Every move you make is thoroughly examined and discussed extensively.
However, Hwang In-tae, the pioneering Asian referee on the NBA staff, wouldn't trade this experience for anything else.
Hwang has made significant progress since his days of entertaining his university friends in South Korea with his basketball dunks. Dunking the ball is a skill that not everyone possesses, and Hwang's impressive display caught the attention of one observer.
Shin Gi-rok, who is three years Hwang's senior and also a graduate of Busan University of Foreign Studies, was not only impressed by the dunking show but also recognized other areas where Hwang had the potential to improve.
"A player's focus should be on the game, not their appearance. One should strive to display humility while playing, but he was excessively showcasing his dunking skills," Shin explained to CNN Sport.
"I didn't reprimand him; rather, I simply reminded him not to engage in such behavior. I advised him to exhibit his true diligent nature instead of seeking attention."
Hwang's dreams of playing basketball were short-lived, despite his flashes of athleticism and love for the sport. His parents were not supportive of his playing career, and he wasn't considered an elite player. Therefore, Hwang had to seek better opportunities for his future. Fortunately, he found inspiration in Shin, who had successfully transitioned into a career as a basketball referee.
Having transitioned from dunking basketballs and shooting free throws to blowing whistles and handing out ejections, Hwang has experienced a notable ascent in the world of refereeing. In the upcoming 2023-24 season, all his diligent efforts will be duly recognized, as he becomes the inaugural non-North American staff referee in the NBA.
"When In-tae departed for the United States, I encouraged him to persist and return only after realizing his dream," shares Shin, expressing his immense pride in his mentee's achievements in the field of refereeing.
"It was not an easy journey for him, as he had to face numerous hardships including cultural, financial, and other complex issues while traveling with his family. I witnessed his struggles along the way. However, despite all the challenges, he managed to become a full-time referee.
"When I came across the article about Hwang's accomplishment of becoming the first Asian referee, I felt a sense of pride. It is truly an incredible achievement that fills me with amazement and pride," Shin added. He further mentioned that whenever he traveled abroad, fellow referees would inquire about In-tae and his aspirations of joining the NBA.
Hwang officiates a WNBA game between the Connecticut Sun and the Washington Mystics on May 23.
Stephen Gosling/NBAE/Getty Images
Route to the top
The NBA and WNBA have established a scouting group specifically dedicated to discovering promising NBA referees, similar to the process of unearthing future basketball stars. The objective, as stated on nbaofficials.com, is to recruit referees from across the world to join their esteemed team.
Hwang exemplifies this journey like no other, progressing from domestic amateur leagues to establishing himself as a fixture in the esteemed professional Korean Basketball League. Furthermore, Hwang has even had the privilege of participating in the Olympics, where he officiated in the highly anticipated 2016 Rio Summer Games, notably presiding over the grand showdown between the United States and Spain for the women's gold medal.
His remarkable skills and expertise with FIBA (the International Basketball Federation) caught the attention of the NBA, resulting in Hwang being welcomed into the league's educational system. Subsequently, he was entrusted with refereeing duties in the G League, which serves as the developmental league for the NBA.
Hwang's path to the NBA aligns with the predetermined process established by the league: 100 potential officials are scouted from eight worldwide basketball organizations and chosen to participate in evaluation events, eventually advancing to the subsequent stage known as the officiating candidate pool.
Subsequently, the most promising candidates are recruited by the G League, where they officiate preseason games and undergo additional compulsory training. Only after this step, candidates are assessed and considered for potential employment in the NBA and WNBA.
Hwang's extraordinary career trajectory is now complete with his permanent promotion to the pinnacle of world basketball after spending two years in the G League, which includes the previous season's Finals, and one season in the WNBA.
"Ignoring any content, referees from all over the world would unquestionably accept an invitation from the NBA without even reviewing the letter," Hwang, who officiated seven regular-season games last year as a non-staff official, shared with the Washington Post. "Without a moment's hesitation, I embraced this opportunity. Is this a dream?"
In-tae showed that it is possible
Shin is now one of the leading officials in world basketball, traveling the globe to preside over international competitions as well as becoming a FIBA commissioner.
Shin, even after graduating from Busan University of Foreign Studies before Hwang, occasionally played basketball with the university's basketball club while pursuing his graduate studies and working as a teaching assistant. Consequently, he continued to offer guidance to Hwang, his fellow countryman, as Hwang embarked on his path to become a top-level referee.
Referees face numerous challenges when dealing with a high-speed game, as revealed by the acknowledgment of 11-time All-Star, Charles Barkley. In a recent interview with CNN's Chris Wallace, Barkley expressed his frustration with fans who only judge officials based on multiple replays. He emphasized the difficulty of officiating in any sport where exceptional players are constantly in motion at an incredibly fast pace.
Hwang himself refers to refereeing as his "addiction." He expressed to the Washington Post that after each game, he would feel a strong sense of disappointment.
Hwang and Shin, both internationally recognized referees registered under the Korean Basketball Association, have collaborated on several occasions.
Shin remembers reffing games together with Hwang at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Hwang (right) and Shin (middle) before a game at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games with fellow FIBA referee Kim Cheong-soo (left).
Courtesy Shin Gi-rok
Shin anticipates that Hwang's success will serve as an incentive for individuals in similar circumstances to strive for similar achievements.
"I believe it will have a motivating effect on others," Shin expresses. "Currently, there are only a few recent recruits at the Korea Basketball Association who aspire to become NBA referees."
It may not be an easy task, but In-tae has proven that it is indeed possible. He has instilled hope in others, demonstrating that with effort and dedication, one can achieve success. Despite the fact that Shin and In-tae now only communicate sporadically, they still manage to provide feedback to each other whenever possible.
Throughout Hwang's journey from Masan, South Korea, to the NBA, one thing is clear in Shin's observation: his unwavering passion for refereeing. Shin admires Hwang for his ability to remain composed during games, steer clear of controversial situations with team staff, and skillfully handle himself. These qualities have earned him immense respect as a referee, both at the amateur level and in the KBL. It is precisely these attributes that have propelled him to his current position.
