An overview shows China's #10 Zhang Ru (L) and Puerto Rico's #22 Arella Guirantes eye a rebound in the women's preliminary round group A basketball match between China and Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France, on August 3, 2024. Photo: VCG

China's women's basketball team finished the Paris Olympic Games in 9th place, and many fans have questioned why the 2022 World Cup runners-up failed to live up to the expectations.

China opened their Olympic campaign with a thrilling 89-90 overtime defeat to Spain before being crushed by Serbia 59-81. They bounced back in their last group game to edge past Puerto Rico 80-58, but it proved not enough for them to advance to the last eight. 

According to the rules, the top two teams from each group and the top two third-placed teams progress to the quarterfinals. Finishing the Group A games with a record of one win and two losses, the third-ranking team had an inferior net point difference compared with Belgium and was sent packing. 

Due to the men's basketball team's consecutive absences from the Olympic Games, the women's team, which secured the runners-up at the Women's Basketball World Cup with nearly the same roster two years ago, has carried the weight of immense expectations for the Paris Games. These high expectations have also brought massive pressure to the team.

Spearheaded by two WNBA players Han Xu and Li Yueru, China pulled off an inspiring second place finish at the 2022 World Cup held in Sydney, Australia, matching the national team's best previous result at the then world championships achieved in 1994.

However, the team has shown a noticeable decline since then. This regression is due to factors such as age and injuries, as well as a dip in the individual players' abilities.

After Han Xu and Li Meng opted to return from the WNBA to play in the domestic league in recent years, Li Yueru, the Los Angeles Sparks center, is the only Chinese woman basketballer playing in an overseas league. 

Playing in top international leagues exposes Chinese players to high levels of competition, advanced training techniques, and different playing styles, which helps them improve their skills and overall game understanding.

Li Yueru, who also had a stint with the Turkish club Besiktas in 2023, once said that "The domestic league lacks intensity and competitive challenge. In the Turkish league, each team has three to four players who have played in the WNBA. Playing in the Turkish league provides better development opportunities."  

The high-intensity training and competitive environment in overseas leagues could significantly contribute to Chinese players' growth and lay a solid foundation for helping the Chinese national team excel in major competitions.

Injury is another reason for the team's decline in performance. Plagued by injuries, captain Yang Liwei and guard Wang Siyu delivered low offensive efficiency and defensive errors with no young players to step up at critical moments. 

It's time to forget the past glory and rebuild the team with a mentality reset. Chinese basketball fans can't afford to see the women's team follow in the backward steps of the men's team. 

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn