Stars Yi Jianlian and Zhou Qi lead quest for Olympics

South East Melbourne Phoenix star recruit Zhou Qi has been named as part of the Chinese Basketball Association’s national team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The CBA has unveiled a newlook team to represent China in two years, with some 50 players named for the initial men’s squad, and 47 players for the women’s side.

After signing with Australia’s NBL team Phoenix last December, “King Qi” as he is called by teammate Mitch Creek, has been central to the team’s success, picking up several player of the game nominations, and was shortlisted for the NBL’s Best Defensive Player award.

Not surprisingly, stand-out player Yi Jianlian was also named as part of the team. A former NBA recruit for the Milwaukee Bucks and CBA Rookie of the Year, Yi represented China at the Olympics in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.

Firebrand Guo Ailun, almost as famous for his off-court antics as his playing, is a surprise addition to the team. Guo, one of the top CBA players with Liaoning Flying Leopards, was involved in a notorious 2016 brawl with fans and required medical treatment.

While there is plenty of experience in the squad, CBA also named several rookie players, including 18-year-old AmericanChinese NBA prospect Yu Jiahao. Yu has been widely considered a potential successor to Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming and last year helped Zhejiang Lions secure bronze at the under-22 men’s National Games.

Point guard Li Tianrong, the first Chinese athlete in the NBA Global plan, is another rising talent to make the Olympic squad.

The line-up, however, has not been without its critics. Fans were quick to point out the age of several players, including 35-yearold Zeng Lingxu, Shuo Han and Zhou Peng. Shuo and Zhou were part of the team that helped China win gold at the 2010 Asian Games.

One critic on Weibo described the “humorous” line-up as “old”.

“The Chinese Basketball Association is about to catch up with the Chinese Football Association,” one netizen posted, referring to China’s struggling men’s soccer side.

Among the women’s squad is 35-year-old Li Shanshan, a point guard for Jiangsu Phoenix, Li also represented China at the 2012 Summer Olympics. She will be joined by fellow Phoenix guard Chen Xiaojia.

Li Yuan, a rising start for Shandong Six Stars and China’s national team, has also been named on the starter list. The 22-year-old was a key player at the 2018 Women’s World Cup.