TPBL's Liu Cheng-Hsun Unanimously Wins Rookie of the Year, Regrets Missing Finals

(CNA, Taipei, June 10, by reporter Chen Jung-chen) Liu Cheng-Hsun, the top draft pick for the Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers in the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL), won the Rookie of the Year award today with a unanimous vote. He expressed regret for not reaching the championship series but has already dedicated himself to training, hoping to help the team continue its breakthroughs next season.

Liu, who entered the professional basketball scene last year as the top draft pick, not only demonstrated a maturity beyond his years and quickly became a key part of the team's rotation but also helped the Lioneers return to the playoffs. Unfortunately, they ultimately missed advancing to the championship series. Nevertheless, Liu secured the Rookie of the Year award with a full 130 media votes.

In a media interview, Liu said he felt a mix of happiness and nervousness, sharing that his biggest regret was not advancing to the championship stage with his team. However, he sees it as just part of the process, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement for the next season. He has already started training, stating, "Many people might say to rest more, but I believe that those who are eliminated should use the extra time to work on their shortcomings."

Assessing his greatest area of growth as his mentality, Liu pointed out that transitioning from a student-athlete to a professional, he also started from the bench but told himself to always be ready, as he never knew when the coach would call his name. "Once on the court, it's about executing what you've practiced and helping the team."

Liu mentioned that the Lioneers have planned a lot of training for him, covering not just technical aspects but also the psychological side. He also reviews his own performance throughout the season to find areas for improvement and correction. "I feel that individual awards are just a small goal; the team championship is the ultimate goal."