Thread by @NoonInKorea

SK Unification Minister Cho Myung-gyon leads a delegation of 50 basketball players visiting Pyongyang for a friendly with NK. As soon as the players arrive, they are fêted by NK in a banquet welcoming their arrival: Pyongyang-style cold noodles served
yonhapnews.co.kr/nk/2018/07/03/…

NK officials dumbfounded by this SK player and what they flew to Pyongyang in: they took a military transport plane (C-130). SK's 100-member contingent includes 50 players, journos, officials etc. Among them is naturalized basketball star Ricardo Ratliffe
news.donga.com/List/PoliticsN…

Ratliffe goes by Korean name, Ra Gun-ah so NK officials may not have known. Played college ball at Missouri and plays for Ulsan Mobis. He's a 6-8 center. Was given citizenship this Jan. Just grabbed 11 rebounds and scored 25 points against China a week ago
straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia…

Ratlilffe (or Ra) was asked what he thinks of playing in NK: "It's gonna be different that it's hard to express my feelings. But I represent SK now so of course I'll give it my all. Everyone is excited since we'll be playing in NK. Thanks for the interest"
hani.co.kr/arti/sports/sp…

After winning 3 straight KBL championships with Ulsan, Ratliffe now plays for Seoul Samsung. He is the 4th naturalized basketball player in SK but he's the only one without at least one ethnic Korean parent. Why did he naturalize? His daughter, he says
koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20…

Ratliffe's daughter was born in Suwon & is in kindergarten. English is her 2nd language: “When she sees an American, she feels shy but she embraces Koreans.” Among other reasons, he cites how Koreans form lasting friendships (정) once you get to know them
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/a…

Here's Ratliffe with his family. Most people don't realize there is a height limit (200 cm) for foreign players in SK; Ratliffe is 199cm. The rule was instituted as basketball ratings have fallen below volleyball and quicker players could drive up ratings

Another reason Ratlliffe was needed is because SK hasn't qualified for the Olympics in 22 yrs and lags behind Asian powers like China, Iran, Philippines & Australia. Could SK have beaten China last week without Ratliffe who scored 25 & grabbed 11 rebs? No
tv5.espn.com/basketball/gil…

Some thought Ratliffe was seeking naturalization due to SK's height rule (200cm) which recently came into effect. He was listed at 203cm but was 199.2cm when measured. So it doesn't apply. Rebounding is his specialty and, of course, he models himself after the Worm @dennisrodman

There's someone taller than Ratliffe, a true 6'-8"er (200cm). But it's a she, and on NK's women's team: Pak Jin-a. She's only 15 years old. As in many of these cases, we can usually tell when it's a growth hormone issue that propels someone to such heights