Chinese basketball player Li Meng Photo: VCG
China's women's basketball team announced on the official Sina Weibo of the Chinese Basketball Association on Monday evening its 28-member training squad for the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025, noting that the country's top basketball talents are set to begin preparations for the event.
The squad brings together seasoned WNBA stars like Li Meng, Han Xu, and Li Yueru, as well as experienced players such as WCBA finals MVP Yang Shuyu and young potentials like 17-year-old Zhang Ziyu.
Reflecting on his strategy of blending experience with youth, keeping both short-term goals and long-term planning in mind, head coach Gong Luming said that they are not just focused on current form but also looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"This training camp will help us evaluate a wide range of players and ensure a smooth transition between generations," Gong said, as reported by China Sports Daily.
Gong, who took over as head coach in February, has emphasized a national "chessboard approach," encouraging unity across all regions and leagues.
Any outstanding player, no matter where she plays, should have the opportunity to be considered for the national team, he noted, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Su Qun, one of the best-known basketball commentators in China, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the list is comprehensive.
"It includes both veterans from the 2022 World Cup silver-medal squad and promising new faces," he said.
"Gong is clearly thinking long-term, setting the stage for internal competition within the training camp - a hallmark of China's team-building tradition."
Beyond the player list, Gong also addressed the team's values and internal culture.
"First, we must align our thinking and strengthen our sense of national pride. We need to foster collectivism and a spirit of unity and determination," he said.
"We want to create a training environment that is united, focused, serious, and vibrant."
It's worth noting that on Monday, Team Sichuan - which boasts multiple national team stars - lost to Team Guangdong in the WCBA finals. The upset fueled online debate over whether simply having top-tier players is enough.
"We are still a world-class team, but if you look at our performance across the World Cup, Olympics, and WCBA in a roll, there's a visible decline. Stars alone don't win games - team chemistry and the unity of the team are just as important. The WCBA finals showed that clearly," Su said.
Su emphasized that depth remains a challenge as China doesn't have the talent pool of Europe or the US, so it's critical to balance the roles of star players with the rest of the squad. Maintaining morale and discipline throughout the team is key, Su added.
Changes in the international women's game also pose new challenges.
"Teams like France, Belgium, and Germany are now full of second-generation African immigrants whose athleticism changes the game," Su analyzed.
He said that a dual strategy is also needed for China: managing existing elite players while exploring naturalized talent to enhance athleticism and explosiveness.
Despite the challenges, expectations remain high for the Asia Cup.
"We have no psychological burden going into this tournament," Beijing-based sports commentator Wang Dazhao told the Global Times.
"Australia might be our toughest opponent, but we remain highly competitive. Confidence is essential."
