Team China Faces Tough Battle for Olympic Spot at FIBA World Cup
Team China is gearing up for a crucial campaign at the FIBA Basketball World Cup as they strive to secure a spot at the Paris Olympics. The Chinese men’s squad, still in a developing phase after a series of warm-up games, has arrived in Manila for the prestigious tournament.
The addition of NBA player Kyle Anderson as a naturalized player has brought a new dynamic to the team. However, with limited practice time, the challenge lies in integrating Anderson with his new teammates and executing Serbian coach Aleksandar Djordjevic‘s game plan effectively.
Team China has encountered six defeats in their warm-up games, all against European opponents. Despite this, Djordjevic remains confident in his players’ ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
We have to give our players courage and positivity. That’s our job — to transfer confidence to them to play better, expressed Djordjevic after the team’s 87-64 loss to Serbia in their final warm-up game.
The upcoming clash against Serbia in the group phase opener on August 26 will be an important test for Team China. While the gap between the two teams is significant, this game could serve as valuable preparation for the critical matches against South Sudan and Puerto Rico that will determine their path in the second phase.
Realistically, a third or fourth-place finish is more likely for Team China. In this scenario, they would face off against the bottom two teams from Group A, which may include the host country, Philippines, and Angola, in classification games to decide the final ranking.
However, the standout match for Team China will be against the Philippines. With both teams vying for the coveted Olympic qualification berth, the showdown between them, featuring NBA star Jordan Clarkson for the Philippines, will be crucial.
Anderson’s inclusion in the Chinese roster has undoubtedly added finesse to the team, complementing the towering centers Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin. However, Anderson is still fine-tuning his role within the team, transitioning from his playmaking role in the NBA to being the go-to scorer for Team China.
Zhou Qi, a second-round pick by the Houston Rockets in the 2016 NBA draft, has struggled to find his form after an eight-month absence from league games. This raises concerns about Team China’s prospects against the tall and explosive South Sudan, led by Los Angeles Lakers reserve forward Wenyen Gabriel.
Despite these challenges, the players and coaching staff are determined to give their all. Guard Zhao Rui emphasized the importance of focusing on the details and improving their performance in areas such as free throws and turnovers.
As Team China enters the FIBA Basketball World Cup, they aim to showcase their skills and compete fiercely for the sole Asian ticket to the Paris Olympics. The journey will be arduous, but with determination and resilience, they hope to secure qualification and make their country proud on the global stage.
