Ex-national basketball team coach Li Nan joins Jiangsu as consultant

Then China head coach Li Nan during a 2019 FIBA World Cup match between China and South Korea in Guangzhou, China, September 6, 2019. /VCG

Former Chinese national team's head coach Li Nan has been appointed consultant for the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) side Jiangsu Dragons, the club said in a statement on Thursday.

"Our focus is on the development of young players. Li Nan as a coach has a deep understanding of basketball. I believe that his guidance can help our club a lot," said Jiangsu Dragons boss Li Haixing.

After a stellar career as a player, both with CBA side Bayi and the national team, Li served as head coach of Bayi's youth team and then as assistant coach of the national team before ecoming the head coach in 2018.

Then China's head coach Li Nan (L) and player Guo Ailun during a 2019 FIBA World Cup match between China and South Korea in Guangzhou, China, September 6, 2019. /VCG

The 45-year-old failed to lead China to direct qualification for the Tokyo Olympic Games at the 2019 FIBA World Cup last September and he left the national team last October.

"After the World Cup, I realized that I needed to improve myself in terms of experience from coaching a CBA team, so I will try my best to help the team," said Li.

He added that he would grow together with the Jiangsu club and that he and the team have enough mutual trust and understanding.

Jiangsu Dragons' Slovenian head coach Memi Becirovic welcomed Li Nan's arrival on the team, saying: "Li is an excellent coach and his arrival will be of great help to my work."

(With input from Xinhua)