China will meet Romania in their first game of women's 3x3 basketball at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday. Nineteen-year-old Yang Shuyu will make her Olympic debut in that game with her teammates. Despite her young age, Yang said she's not an immature rookie and wanted to do her best in an interview with Tencent Sports.

"This is my first Olympic Games, I know they will call me 'rookie,' 'young blood' and other things. But I want to say that does not mean I'm immature. I will try to do my best on the court and make my country proud," Yang told Tencent.

Yang's new not only to the Olympics, but also to 3x3 basketball. She only moved from 5x5 to 3x3 at the beginning of 2021.

"I moved from 5x5 basketball, which is very different from 3x3 in competition form, rules and physicality," said Yang. But she's convinced she can make contributions in 3-point shooting, defense and rebounding among other things.

"My best skill is long-range shooting. I'm a shooter. I can defend and grab rebounds too, because 3x3 basketball demands a more complete skills of player."

3x3 basketball was included in the Olympics for the first time in Tokyo. Back in 2019, China won the women's championship in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in the Netherlands under head coach Xu Jiamin. That was the first basketball world title for a Chinese team.

However, Xu considered Tokyo Olympics a different and bigger challenge. "The competitions in Tokyo will be at a different level because they are in a different format," said Xu.

There were 20 teams divided into four groups in the World Cup and no team had to play back-to-back games. By contrast, there are only eight teams in Tokyo and they have to finish nine to 10 games in five days, which can present a true test of players' stamina.

But that does not mean Xu and her team are scared. On the contrary, Xu said they will spare no efforts and go for gold in Tokyo.