China Men’s Basketball Team to Open Asian Games Campaign After 3 Games in 4 Days

Source: Global Times

[Global Times special correspondent Li Jiayin] China’s men’s basketball team narrowly defeated Lebanon 89-87 in the World Cup qualifier on August 31. After securing the hard-fought victory, most of China’s players returned directly to Beijing, aiming to carry over their competitive form and experience from high-intensity official matches into Asian Games preparations. It is reported that China’s men’s basketball team plans to depart for Japan on the 7th and will face Kazakhstan, its first opponent in the Asian Games group stage, on the 11th.

Chinese delegation formed, roster announced

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will officially open on September 19. According to the official schedule, some events will begin earlier, with the men’s basketball competition running from September 10 to September 20. At the establishment ceremony of the Chinese sports delegation on September 4, China’s men’s basketball team announced its 12-player Asian Games roster: Cui Yongxi, Hu Jinqiu, Jiao Boqiao, Li Hongquan, Liao Sanning, Zhao Jiayi, Zhu Junlong, Hu Mingxuan, Li Yuezhou, Pang Zhenglin, Wang Junjie and Yu Jiahao.

Compared with the 12-player roster for the men’s basketball World Cup qualifiers, Cui Yongxi, Li Yuezhou and Yu Jiahao replaced He Xining, Zhao Jiwei and Yang Hansen. The roster is based on the squad from the second stage of the qualifiers, maintaining continuity in the tactical system, and the team has a clear goal of competing for the Asian Games gold medal. A person familiar with the Chinese Basketball Association said that the omission of veterans such as Zhao Jiwei was mainly due to injury protection and age considerations, while Yang Hansen missed the tournament because he went to the United States to prepare for the new NBA season. The national team fully supports players going overseas to compete in high-level leagues and improve themselves.

“Yang Hansen’s absence is the biggest variable”

In terms of roster composition, China has key players such as Hu Jinqiu and Hu Mingxuan, as well as new additions like Li Yuezhou. The team is balancing its Asian Games objectives with future development. China men’s basketball head coach Guo Shiqiang said: “This summer we have three competitions (including the Asian Games), so the national team training period has been relatively long. Our current men’s basketball team has many young players, and there may be many difficulties during these four years of preparing for the Los Angeles Olympics. During this process, I hope everyone can give more support to our players.”

Philippine media Fast Break believes that Yang Hansen’s absence is the biggest variable for China’s Asian Games campaign. “The Chinese Basketball Association needs to develop high-level talent for the pursuit of the Los Angeles Olympics, so it supports players competing in high-level leagues. Against this backdrop, Hu Jinqiu needs to contribute more to the Chinese men’s basketball team.” Previously, when China faced Lebanon, Yu Jiahao, who had played in Spain’s second-tier league, joined the team. Standing 2.23 meters tall, he can help the team with rim protection and rebounding.

Grouped with the Philippines

China is in Group C, with opponents including the Philippines, Bahrain and Kazakhstan. China will face Kazakhstan in its first group-stage match on September 11, Bahrain on September 12 and the Philippines on September 14.

Playing three games in four days will be a major test of the team’s physical reserves. Based on previous head-to-head results and overall team strength, the Philippines is China’s biggest group-stage opponent. In the men’s basketball semifinal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, China led by 20 points at one stage but was overturned by the Philippines. In that game, Philippine naturalized player Justin Brownlee scored 33 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, becoming the key player who changed the outcome. The Philippines eventually defeated Jordan in the final to win the Hangzhou Asian Games men’s basketball gold medal. Brownlee is included on the Philippines’ roster for this Asian Games, but injuries have made his availability uncertain. The Philippines won two consecutive games in the World Cup qualifiers in August, with Brownlee missing both matches.

South Korea is also aiming for the championship. South Korean news agency NEWS1 said that since winning the 2014 Incheon Asian Games on home soil, Korean basketball has not reached the top of the Asian Games for 12 years. While other competing national teams have actively used naturalized players and improved their competitive strength, South Korean basketball has instead declined. Falling international competitiveness has further contributed to declining league popularity, creating a negative cycle. South Korea finished outside the top eight at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and ranked seventh overall, its worst result in team history. Led by foreign coach Nikolas Mazurs, South Korea will compete in this Asian Games with the goal of winning gold. Under Mazurs, South Korea has recorded three wins and six losses in nine games and recently earned two consecutive victories in the World Cup qualifiers. South Korean media OSEN reported that South Korea defeated the Philippines 69-42 in a warm-up game on September 6, further boosting team morale. However, South Korea still showed clear problems in the match: its performance declined in the second half and its three-point shooting percentage was only around 20%.

South Korea will face Japan, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia in the group stage. Host Japan announced its 12-player roster as early as July, sending a young lineup with an average age of 25.1 years. OSEN pointed out that Japan is sending a “second team” to the competition, and naturalized player Alex Kirk has strong rim-protection ability, so South Korea cannot underestimate them.

In addition, traditional West Asian powerhouse Iran has arrived in Japan and completed its first training session. Iran’s Tehran Times reported that the team’s goal is to deliver a strong performance and make a full push for a podium finish.