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06 - 21
August 2016
6 GUO Ailun (China)
17/05/2016
News
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Guo, Wang and Yi arrive as China step up Rio preparations

BEIJING (2016 Rio Olympics) - China will over the next few months be looking to develop the same sort of chemistry that helped them return to the top of Asia last year before they set off for Brazil and the 2016 Olympics.

Three players from last year's team, which bounced back from a Quarter-Final exit in 2013 to win the title in Changsha-Hunan, have this week linked up with the squad as it prepares for the Rio de Janeiro Games.

Point guard Guo Ailun, an All-Star Five selection at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, joined the team on Monday. Guo has been hailed for his spirited performances that helped China knock off defending champions Iran in the Semi-Finals and the Philippines in the title game.

Another to arrive on Monday with Guo was Wang Zhelin, the 2.14m center who came of the bench last year.

Zhelin, the Chinese are hoping, will develop into a first-rate big man. The coaches are being patient with the youngster because centers often take much longer to reach their full potential.

Wang Zhelin (CHN) played at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship

Yi Jianlian, the long-time national team star who in three months will become a four-time Olympian, arrived at the China training camp on Tuesday. Yi had one of his finest tournaments last year, scooping the honor as the FIBA Asia Championship Most Valuable Player.

Zhou Qi, the revelation of the FIBA Asia Championship and the other Chinese player to make the All-Star Five, is presently in the United States to give NBA teams a chance to assess his skills before next month's draft. Zhou is expected to remain in America a while longer before returning to the Far East later this month to join up with the national team.

China are preparing to host the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (MKD) in three friendly games. The teams will meet 8 June in Changchun, 10 June in Jiaozuo and 12 June in Luoyang.

At the Olympics, China will play in Group A against Australia, two-time defending champions United States, Venezuela and two sides that win FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

FIBA