The Asian Cup of Men s Basketball Team starts today. The goal of the Chinese Men s Basketball Team: to take the podium

Tonight, the 2025 Saudi Men's Basketball Team Asian Cup will kick off. The Chinese men's basketball team led by Guo Shiqiang will face its first opponent in the group stage at 23:00 today. For the whole team, the goal of this competition is to return to the semi-finals and even stand on the podium. With the unfavorable absence of many main players, it is difficult for the Chinese team to achieve their goals, but with a view to the 2027 World Cup and even the 2028 Olympics, the team needs to withstand such tests and overcome difficulties through their own efforts.

■On July 29, Chinese player Hu Mingxuan (second from left) dribbled the ball in the game. Xinhua News Agency said that the promotion to the top of the group is very critical, since taking over as the head coach of the Chinese men's basketball team in July last year, Guo Shiqiang has been transforming the Chinese team in his own way. What he has to face is the 2025 Asian Cup, the 2026 Asian Games and the 2027 World Cup. The ultimate goal is to return to the Olympic Games in 2028.

Last month, "Uncle" just turned 50 years old. At this age of strong and strong strength, his team also ushered in the "midterm exam" of the Asian Cup.

In the last Asian Cup held in Indonesia, the Chinese men's basketball team suffered multiple problems and lost to Lebanon in the quarter-finals and finally only finished 6th. At the Asian Cup level, Australia's strength is unique. In the past two major competitions, the team has a record of 12 wins and 0 losses. Now this team heading to Saudi Arabia has recruited several players with international competition experience. From the moment, they are still the biggest favorites to win the championship.

Secondly, Lebanon, Japan, New Zealand, Iran and other teams have their own characteristics, but there are also many problems. Among them, the core of Lebanese team, Alaki, was injured and might not be able to play in the group stage; the Japanese team lacked two core players, Hachimura and Kawamura Nagaki; the New Zealand team lacked overall experience. Both Chinese men's basketball teams have the ability to defeat these opponents.

Although it ranked second in the lottery, the Chinese men's basketball team has a good draw and has successfully avoided multiple strong opponents. The team is in Group C with hosts Saudi Arabia, India and Jordan.

It can be said that neither Saudi Arabia nor India will pose any threat to the Chinese men's basketball team. The real showdown is to confront Jordan in the last round of the group stage. As long as the Chinese men's basketball team wins three consecutive wins in the group stage, the team will advance to the knockout stage as the top spot in Group C, which means that at least it is basically impossible to meet the Australian team before the finals. This is the best "climbing" route for the Chinese men's basketball team, which is determined to return to the semi-finals and even reach the podium.

If you accidentally rank second in the group, then the team will have to play an extra playoff against third in Group D. The next quarter-finals are likely to face Australia, and then the Chinese team will be in danger.

The "remnant formation" attacked the young man took the lead

Due to Zhou Qi, Zhang Zhenlin, Cui Yongxi, Zeng Fanbo, Zhao Jiwei and Sun Minghui absent due to injuries, and Yang Hansen, who went to the United States to work hard, the Chinese men's basketball team that went to Saudi Arabia this time was an "remnant formation". But with the consideration of reserve talents for the 2027 World Cup, this competition is also a good practical opportunity.

From July 16 to 29, the Chinese men's basketball team played 5 warm-up matches with three teams, the Netherlands, Venezuela (2 games) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (2 games), and the team won five consecutive victories, which to a certain extent enhanced the confidence of the whole team. The performance of the young player Wang Junjie in the United States is even more eye-catching.

Judging from the team's 12-man roster, the back line leads two players, Hu Mingxuan and Zhao Rui, who are in their prime; the inside line depends more on Hu Jinqiu and Yu Jiahao to support; as for the forward line, in addition to Zhu Junlong and Raymond, who are familiar to fans, 20-year-old Wang Junjie may be able to bring surprises to everyone.

Speaking of which, Chinese basketball has made great achievements in overseas study recently. Yang Hansen joined the NBA through the draft. Zeng Fanbo received the Nets' training camp contract. Yu Jiahao will go to Spain to play in the new season, and Lin Wei will also go to the overseas league. Many players "going overseas" have brought new hope to Chinese basketball to a certain extent. In the next two years, they will be the mainstay of the Chinese men's basketball team's attempt to compete for the Los Angeles Olympics.

Voice

Guo Shiqiang: "We have also seen the personnel of the Asian Cup. Many of us are absent due to injuries, which is very difficult for us. There are many young players now, and if the young people play well, it is also good. We will do our best to play every game."

Written by: Xin Kuaibao reporter Gao Jing