CHINA is bracing for a tough campaign in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah as the focus for Team Dragon revolved around the absences more than those in uniform.
Yang Hansen, selected 16th in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers, and Zeng Fanbo, who signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Brooklyn Nets, were the most glaring for the Chinese team which are seeking to reclaim the throne they last won in Changsha back in 2015.
Aside from the young guns, other big names omitted from the list are former NBA prospects Zhou Qi (Houston Rockets) and Cui Yongxi (Brooklyn Nets), court general Zhao Jiwei, and veteran forward Zhang Zhenlin, all of whom are nursing injuries.
Still, coach Guo Shiqiang is keeping his faith, acknowledging the challenges while opting to ride with the youth in building the future for Chinese basketball.
"The Asia Cup will be a difficult challenge for us with a lot of key players absent due to injuries. The biggest challenge is that we are shorthanded in the post position. It forced us to pick more younger players, though, which will provide them with more opportunities to be tested,” he said.
China up to the task
Despite the gloomy predictions that has come China’s way, it swept its four friendlies against Venezuela and Bosnia and Herzegovina, proving that there’s a lot of potential in this batch.
Two-time CBA MVP Hu Jinqiu of the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions banner the 12-man roster together with Asia Cup veterans Zhao Rui (Sichuan Blue Whales), Hu Mingxuan, and Xu Jie (Guangdong Southern Tigers).
Also impressing in the exhibition games were point guard Liao Sanning (Beijing Royal Fighters), 7-foot-3 center Yu Jiahao, who recently signed with Spanish club Bilbao Basket, and 20-year-old forward Wang Junjie of the San Francisco Dons.
Wang has turned a lot of heads with his performance in the aforementioned tuneups, netting 8.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in his debut for the red-and-gold.
Rounding out the roster are Zhao Jiayi and Zhu Junlong (Zhejiang Guangsha Lions), Zhang Ning (Shanxi Loongs), Lei Meng (Beijing Shougang Ducks), Gao Shiyan (Shandong Heroes), Cheng Shuaipeng (Zhejiang Golden Bulls), and Li Xiangbo (Guangzhou Loong Lions).
China is slotted in Group C together with hosts Saudi Arabia, India, and Jordan.
The Chinese side finished eighth place in Jakarta back in 2022, their second-worst finish after dominating the continental championship and winning the crown 16 times.
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