China Men’s Basketball Team Gains Newcomers and Confidence – A Strong Boost After a Decade of Struggles

 Heading to Saudi Arabia as “underdogs,” the Chinese men’s basketball team achieved a satisfying result in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, performing well above expectations. Reaching the Asia Cup final for the 18th time in history, Guo Shiqiang’s squad delivered a much-needed boost to a national team that had been stuck in a decade-long slump. They discovered promising young talents and, more importantly, rebuilt their confidence. As Guo Shiqiang said after the semifinal win over New Zealand, “We represent China to showcase the spirit of Chinese basketball, and as everyone knows, we are working hard to bring Chinese basketball back to the top.”

Do you remember? Before this tournament, when the official 12-man roster was announced, there were plenty of doubts from the public: “Why choose Gao Shiyan instead of Xu Jie?” “Why bring Li Xiangbo and Lei Meng?” Yet as the Asia Cup wrapped up, those doubts disappeared, replaced by recognition and praise for Guo Shiqiang’s selections. He had said earlier, “I want 12 players who will fight desperately, and on the court, I need five who will give everything.” In Jeddah, Gao Shiyan’s suffocating defense turned him into a “Chinese Patrick Beverley,” while Li Xiangbo and Lei Meng made valuable contributions in limited minutes. Watching the games, you could see that every player stepped on the floor with an unwillingness to concede, embodying the essence of team basketball.

This Chinese team is not perfect, but it is exactly what fans wanted to see: spirit and character. “The most important thing is that we displayed teamwork, showed fighting spirit on the court, and played unselfishly. We are a young team, with nine players making their international tournament debut,” said Guo Shiqiang. “But as the old Chinese saying goes, heroes emerge from the youth!” In other words, these young players have nothing to lose. Before this Asia Cup, only Zhao Rui among the 12 had ever played in a continental final.

Wang Junjie was undoubtedly the biggest discovery of the tournament. At just 20 years old, the power forward stunned many. Do you recall? In the opening group match against hosts Saudi Arabia, Guo Shiqiang even scolded him on the sidelines. But starting from the second game, once promoted to the starting lineup, Wang seemed to unlock his full potential. Despite being a complete rookie—not only new to the national team but also still a college player who had never played professional basketball—he impressed with his turnaround jumpers, mid-range shots, and three-pointers. After the Asia Cup, Wang will return to the United States to continue competing in the NCAA. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Liao Sanning shone in both the quarterfinal and semifinal, proving himself in crucial moments. His fearless shooting and willingness to take responsibility earned Guo Shiqiang’s trust in crunch time, making Liao and Zhao Rui the most reliable backcourt duo. At the forward spots, 26-year-olds Zhu Junlong and Zhao Jiayi also stood firm under pressure, proving themselves as strong options. Yes, this generation of Chinese players came out of the Asia Cup with newfound confidence.

Never underestimate this team’s hunger for victory. Before the tournament, Zhao Rui had said the team’s goal was to win a medal. With several key veterans absent and even rising star Yang Hanshen left out for long-term planning, the team still managed to blood new players and gain valuable belief. Over the past decade, Chinese basketball has been in decline—failing to reach the semifinals in the last two Asia Cups (2017 and 2022) and missing the Olympics in both 2020 and 2024. Yet this time, the young Chinese squad showed teamwork and tenacity, rekindling hope among fans.

Earlier this month, China’s women’s team failed to reach the final in their Asia Cup campaign in Shenzhen. The men’s team, though not crowned champions, proved their worth by making the final. Against Australia, China used up every last bullet, even leading by as much as 15 points in the second quarter. Unfortunately, Hu Mingxuan’s missed three-pointer on the final possession cost them a chance at a dramatic victory. Still, it is clear: the Chinese men’s basketball team is on the path to resurgence.