2023 Chinese National Team

[sinobball]

New coach for China, Aleksandar Djordjevic, recently named his 18-men roster. Half of the team were basically mainstays from previous generations, but a couple of names are considered very surprising. Basically very average CBA players but who fit Djordjevic's criteria. Sun Minghui is not selected and it's not clear if it's due to injury.

Basically Djordjevic likes:

Tall point guards. Zhao Jiwei at 6'1'' is the only short guard on the team, probably to provide veteran ballhandling, every other guard is at least 6'3''.

Tall wing players, at least 6'7'' or 6'8'', who can play defense and shoot the 3.

He values defensive intensity over scoring ability. For guards, he doesn't care too much about skinny guys who can jump, but for rim protectors, he picked a couple skinny guys who can jump.

Honestly, CBA scoring means very little internationally.

Actually I won't be surprised if he cuts Wang Zhelin, Guo Ailun, Zhao Jiwei and Zhou Peng for the Worlds. It's time to inject some fresh blood into this sorry team

[Btlovd]

Do you mind posting the 18 man roster? I could not find it anywhere. Thanks!

[Giannis34GOD]

New coach for China, Aleksandar Djordjevic, recently named his 18-men roster. Half of the team were basically mainstays from previous generations, but a couple of names are considered very surprising. Basically very average CBA players but who fit Djordjevic's criteria. Sun Minghui is not selected and it's not clear if it's due to injury.

Basically Djordjevic likes:

Tall point guards. Zhao Jiwei at 6'1'' is the only short guard on the team, probably to provide veteran ballhandling, every other guard is at least 6'3''.

Tall wing players, at least 6'7'' or 6'8'', who can play defense and shoot the 3.

He values defensive intensity over scoring ability. For guards, he doesn't care too much about skinny guys who can jump, but for rim protectors, he picked a couple skinny guys who can jump.

Honestly, CBA scoring means very little internationally.

Actually I won't be surprised if he cuts Wang Zhelin, Guo Ailun, Zhao Jiwei and Zhou Peng for the Worlds. It's time to inject some fresh blood into this sorry team

Will China continue their plan to hire naturalized player? It's already a hot debate in Chinese social media sites today....

[sinobball]

Do you mind posting the 18 man roster? I could not find it anywhere. Thanks!

https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023/asian-qualifiers/news/roster-tracker-who-will-be-playing-in-the-february-window

Regarding naturalization I haven't seen any information, maybe you know more than me since you can read Chinese social media sites...

[sinobball]

Scrimmage game:

China 108:67 Nanjing Monkey Kings (CBA)
China: Zhang Zhenlin 20p (8/9FG)
Nanjing: QJ Peterson 15p 4a 4s

CNT played 14 players out of the 18 (DNP: Wu Qian, Zhu Mingzhen, Jiao Boqiao, Cui Xiaolong), Nanjing had all players.

[sinobball]

Scrimmage game:

China 81:64 Shanghai Sharks (CBA)
China: Guo Ailun 10p 3a
Shanghai: Eric Bledsoe 24p 7r 6a

Wang Zhelin played for Shanghai instead of CNT this game.

Rookie Cui Yongxi became a starter this game. Cui is a skinny and athletic guy who plays very hard, but he's very raw.

So China's starting 5:
PG: Zhao Jiwei 183
SF: Cui Yongxi 199
SF/PF: Zhang Zhenlin 205
SF/PF: Zhou Peng 206
PF/C: Zhou Qi 216

Average height = 202cm = 6'8''

[sinobball]

Cui Xiaolong and Zhu Mingzhen have been cut.

Teenager Cui Yongxi has been the biggest surprise of the year, from "Who?" to starting on the national team in two weeks.

Highlight reel from his 3-month professional career:

https://www.ixigua.com/7188541031573357108?logTag=c2ec94df1c9f74a7978e

As you can see, not a lot of skills (there's a bad travel) but a freak... a rim protector at the 2 position, wow

I have no doubts of his age, because in 2019 he looked like this: https://www.instagram.com/p/BtG9dWig...9-0a15767cc8c0

[sinobball]

Djordjevic's lackluster debut is somewhat saved by Cui Yongxi's brilliance in Game 2. This kid will be a really good player down the road but he has a lot to work on. Looked nervous as fuck in Game 1, but in Game 2 he showed what he could do. Terrific defender (although he got lost on a couple of occasions) and instincts, even has good court vision although his ball handling is subpar. He still made many mistakes especially on offense but it's expected, the most important thing was that he was on the floor when the game was close AND he made plays. Very impressive

Likely won't be called up again: Zhu Xuhang and Cheng Shuaipeng. Zhu is a 30-year-old "rookie" who can't offer anything other than rebounds and "hustle", and he got plenty of chances. Cheng didn't play much but he's likewise not special. Jiao Boqiao (21 y/o) and Zeng Fanbo (20 y/o) will get more chances but they don't look ready (especially Zeng, Jiao just sat on the bench.), but I think they will both become NT-calibre if they stay healthy, both guys have very good potential.

Biggest problem: No point guard besides Zhao Jiwei. Some guards can't even dribble. If Guo Haowen recovers from his broken ankle surgery in time for the Worlds, I think he will be an important player. I think Djordjevic is probably also realizing that he needs to get some guards that can shoot to complement his core. Also Guo Ailun looks like he should be cut or relegated to the end of bench.

Fucking Zhou Qi is shooting 40% from FTs in BOTH games. Do they not practice FTs in Australia? Anyway he looked terrible for a star but there's nobody better.