REGENSBURG (David Hein’s Eye on the Future) - Despite a recent run of struggles on the continent, China have said the future is now for the 2015 FIBA Asia tournament - with their sights set on the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup as well. 

Usually one title and a second-placed finish over the span of four continental events would be considered a decent showing. But that was anything but satisfactory for China, who won the FIBA Asia crown in 2011 - two years after losing the final to Iran. 

The 2007 FIBA Asia tournament was a nightmare for China, losing all three games to Jordan, Philippines and Iran and not getting out of the first round. At least China did not need to qualify for the 2008 Olympics as they were the hosts.

Two years ago at Manila 2013, China were embarrassed by losses to Korea and Iran in the first round before falling to Chinese Taipei in the Quarter-Finals. Greek coach Panagiotis Giannakis got China to bounce back and take fifth place, but the damage had been done. 

Basketball China decided it was time for a re-start - aided by the country pulling out of the running for a wild card bid for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. 

Chinese basketball leaders used the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup and the Asian Games 2014 as a chance to see what a good group of young players on the verge of the senior national team could do. Seven of the players on the Asian Games squad and six from the Asia Cup team were 22 years or younger - with only prized 1996-born Qi Zhou playing at both tournaments.

But China’s coach Gong Luming, who guided the Asian Games team last summer, ended up selecting six of those players for the 2015 FIBA Asia tournament in Changsha - all of them being 22 years or younger. 

And that sextet represents both the present and future for China.

The 21-year-old guard Guo Ailun has the most experience of the bunch, having already played at the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the 2012 Olympics and the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. He also played at the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship and the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship. 

Also playing for Gong at the Asian Games last summer were Guo’s teammates from the two youth world championships, 21-year-old 2.14m center Wang Zhelin and 22-year-old forward Zhai Xiaochuan. Gong also re-called 22-year-old small forward Ding Yanyuhang from the Asian Games side. 

Guo and Wang were also left-overs from the 2013 FIBA Asia nightmare as well. 

Two other major factors in the future of Chinese basketball are the 19-year-old 2.17m center Qi Zhou and 20-year-old point guard Zhao Ji Wei. Both of those youngsters played at the Asia Cup and were teammates on the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship and 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship teams. 

All six of them will undoubtedly learn loads from the experience in Changsha. It may have been only been the first game of the FIBA Asia Championship but three of the youngsters - Zhao, Ding and Zhou - were in the starting line-up against Singapore. Ding scored in double figures as did Zhai and Wang while Guo collected four points, six rebounds and six assists as a true leader. 

Gong teamed those youngsters with 35-year-old veteran guard Liu Wei and NBA veteran big man Yi Jianlian. While Liu can pass on the tricks of the trade to Zhao and Guo, Yi can work with NBA big men prospects Wang and Zhou. 

The flow of young talent to the Chinese senior team is not quite done. Two more not far off are 17-year-old wing Zhao Yanhao and 18-year-old power forward Hu Jinqiu - both of whom showcased their skill-set at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship.

They will be 21 and 22 years old respectively when China hosts the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. If they continue to develop, they would fit right in with the sextet of 22-year-old and younger players at 2015 FIBA Asia - who will be really entering their prime. 

China may have gone through a tough phase recently, but they definitely are thinking about a bright future. 

David Hein

FIBA 

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