Kim Yoo-taek
Kim Yoo-taek (born October 10, 1963) is a former South Korean basketball player and coach. Standing 197 cm tall, he played center but had ball-handling skills typical of a guard. He is regarded as one of Asia’s great centers, alongside players like Carlos Loyzaga and Yao Ming.
Early life and college
Kim grew up in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. He began playing basketball in high school when he was recruited to join a tall player shortage on Myongji High School’s team. He later attended Chung-Ang University, where he formed the famous “Hur-Dong-Taek Trio” with Hur Jae and Kang Dong-hee. The trio powered Chung-Ang University to dominate college basketball in the 1980s.
Playing career
Kim joined Kia Motors (Busan Kia Enterprise) in 1987 and played there until 2000. In 1997, he helped his team win the KBL Championship and earned the KBL Sixth Man Award. He reached 4,000 career points in 1996. When the Korean professional league started in 1997, Kim stayed with the team and retired in 2000 as the oldest active player. The media nicknamed him “Stork” for his tall, lanky frame and serious demeanor. Kia Enterprise retired his No. 14 jersey in 2000, a legacy later carried on by Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.
Coaching and later career
After retiring, Kim became a coach. He led Myongji High School as head coach from 2002 to 2005. He also worked as a SPOTV basketball commentator. Kim served as an assistant coach for the South Korea national team (2008–2009) and for Daegu Orions (2009–2011). He was the head coach of Chung-Ang University’s basketball team from 2011 to 2015.
National team and tournaments
Kim represented South Korea in multiple international competitions, including the FIBA Asia Championship (1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993) and the Asian Games (1986, 1990, 1994).
Personal life
Kim has two sons who are professional basketball players. He and his first wife divorced, and their son Jin-soo later adopted his stepfather’s surname, Choi.
Kim Yoo-taek’s career left a lasting mark on Korean and Asian basketball as a versatile big man who could do it all on the court.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 16:11 (CET).