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Lyu Xiaoming helps kids fall in love with basketball in vacation
CGTN
02:01

Former Chinese professional basketball player Lyu Xiaoming has been holding training camps for teenagers in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province for years since he retired in 2015.

Lyu was three-time CBA assists leader when he was still playing in the professional league and was recruited by the Chinese national team too. It's not rare for former professional players to hold youth development programs in China, but Lyu had one of the most successful careers among them and his attention to detail is very impressive.

"I didn't know how to teach children at the beginning. So, between 2015 and 2019, I was studying how to pass on what I have learnt on the court, both the theories and practice, to my students, like helping them learn what to do," Lyu said. "I finally established my own training system in 2019. I was very absorbed in this researching because I found different ways to teach basketball. It's fun."

Lyu attached a lot of importance to the fundamentals and required coaches he cooperates with to give the trainees a clear knowledge of every move they taught, so children will know both how to do it and why they do it.

Lyu Xiaoming (C) speaks to his trainees at his basketball training camp in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. /CFP

Lyu Xiaoming (C) speaks to his trainees at his basketball training camp in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. /CFP

Lyu tore his right Achilles tendon during a training session in 2021. However, one week after surgery he joined his trainees again on walking sticks. In about six months, he returned to the court again demonstrating moves for children every day and playing three to four games a week.

Lyu used to think he would quit when he could no longer demonstrate moves for trainees anymore, but now he says he just wants to spend as much time as possible teaching children how to play basketball on the court.

Wu Jiajun, 14, is from north China's Henan Province. He has been training with Lyu longer than most students. His considers Lyu as his role model and wants to become a professional player in the future.

Yuan Yixin., 13, is from Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. As one of the few girls at Lyu's training camp, she says she has been making fast progress competing with boys every day. Her dream is to join the Chinese national team one day.

Li Tianyi, 12, is from Yantai, east China's Shandong Province. He has a plan for his career: starting from the CUBA and then join the CBA.

Yao Hehui, 9, is a Xiamen local. He was not a basketball fan at the beginning, but he was touched by Lyu's passion for the sport and soon fell in love with it.

Lyu Xiaoming (L) shows to his trainee how to dribble at his basketball training camp in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. /CFP

Lyu Xiaoming (L) shows to his trainee how to dribble at his basketball training camp in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. /CFP

"I hope all of you can grow with happiness and good health and enjoy playing basketball," Lyu told his trainees. "My coach used to tell me, basketball is only a third of your life. The other two thirds are about how to be a decent person."

Through his efforts, Lyu wants to help these children find and realize their dreams.

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