Japan's Alex Kirk in red tries to stop a shot from China's Zhao Rui during a FIBA Asia Cup qualifier at the Shenzhen Sports Center in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, February 20, 2025. /VCG
As the FIBA Asia Cup looms in Saudi Arabia this August, China are locking down in Beijing for an intensive training camp from June 13th to July 23rd.
The 23-man roster convenes at a training bureau, preparing not just physically but tactically, with eight warm-up games slated against a diverse slate of opponents: Tunisia, the Netherlands, Venezuela, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Beijing Ducks and Guangdong Southern Tigers both contribute three players each. Hu Jinqiu and Zhu Junlong from the reigning CBA champions the Guangsha Lions have earned their spots, yet the absence of Sun Minghui raises eyebrows, given his recent form. The Liaoning contingent is pared down to Zhang Zhenlin alone, whose fitness struggles have been well documented, while the omission of teammate Zhao Jiwei surprises many.
Injecting fresh blood into the squad are first-time call-ups Lei Meng, Liu Jiuyu, and Li Xiangbo, signaling a nod to youth and potential amid the established veterans.