China's basketball roster for the FIBA Asia Cup is set! 🏆 The 12-player squad, confirmed Monday, sees forward Zhang Ning and point guard Xu Jie surprisingly left out due to last-minute adjustments. The final lineup includes fan favorites like Zhao Rui, Hu Mingxuan, and rising star Yu Jiahao.
Team officials stated the selections were based on "overall preparation needs" for the tournament, which kicks off August 5 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. China faces Saudi Arabia, India, and Jordan in Group C—a mix of rivals that'll test their championship pedigree.
With 16 titles under their belt (the last in 2015), China's recent quarterfinal exits have left fans hungry for redemption. 🏀💨 Can this new-look squad break the streak? Their first test comes Tuesday against host nation Saudi Arabia.
Young hoop enthusiasts, mark your calendars: This tournament could redefine Asia's basketball hierarchy! 🌏✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com