Lin, Chinese Taipei wanting more than just making up the numbers
TAIPEI CITY (2016 FIBA U17 World Championship) - Chinese Taipei may be making their competition debut at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship but Lin Ting-Chien says the Asians are not there to just make up the numbers.
“I’m excited and really looking forward to the FIBA U17 World Championship,” said Lin, Chinese Taipei’s leading scorer at the 2015 FIBA Asia U16 Championship with 21.9 points while also averaging 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.1 assists.
TPE's future star, Benson Lin (Lin Ting-Chien). 6'4. b.1999. 22pts, 5rebs, 2asts, 2stls per game last year. pic.twitter.com/aCmJRxZzZ4
— Enzo Flojo (@hoopnut) May 2, 2016
“It’s something amazing to face the best teams of this age category. We will enjoy, learn and compete looking to win.”
When asked about his team’s expectations in Zaragoza, Lin said: “A medal for Chinese Taipei is what I want.”
He is a very smart and talented player. He acts like a leader. He can bring the stability to the team and lead the team to good performances. - Wu
Of course it will not be easy for Chinese Taipei, who finished in the top three at the FIBA Asia U16s for the first time.
Coach Wu Cheng-Chieh’s team will focus on their quick style of play.
“Quickness is our strength. We play quick basketball and like to take care of the ball,” Lin said. “But that is not enough. Size is important too. But unfortunately that’s something we lack.”
Coach Wu expects Lin to be the leader of his team in Zaragoza, where the team will take on Egypt, Turkey and three-time reigning champions United States in Group A.
Chinese Taipei U16 star Ling Ting-Chien got his b-ball IQ from his dad, Lin Cheng-Ming who is the coach of U16. #FAU16
— Claudine (@KlaudineCleine) November 3, 2015
“He is a very smart and talented player. He acts like a leader. He can bring the stability to the team and lead the team to good performances,” Wu said of Lin, whose father Lin Cheng-Ming was the coach of the U16 team last summer.
“He is good at reading the game as well as shooting. However, he is not strong enough, so he may struggle a bit on defence.”
Lin was the coach of the U16 team last summer, is playing high school basketball in the United States in Kentucky - something that really has opened his eyes.
“The game in the US is different. It’s much faster and more physical. I have benefitted a lot from playing there and against talented opposition,” he said.
After playing at the Nike Asia Camp in 2014 and 2015, Lin got an invitation to this year’s Jordan Brand Classic International Game. and the 1.90m guard guard excelled, scoring 13 points to go with four rebounds and four steals.
“I learned how to compete against the best in the world.”
That leaves Lin and Chinese Taipei looking for more than just taking part in the U17 Worlds.
FIBA
