The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) has unveiled a 28-player roster for the women's national team as they prepare for the upcoming FIBA Women's Asia Cup. The tournament, set to take place in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province from July 13 to 20, promises to be a defining moment for the team.
This dynamic roster includes a blend of seasoned performers and emerging talent. Notably, center Li Yueru, who currently plays in the Turkish league, adds international experience to the mix. Four standout players from the WCBA finalists, Dongguan and Sichuan, have earned their spots. From Dongguan, Huang Sijing, Yang Liwei, Yang Shuyu, and Chen Mingling have been selected, while Sichuan is represented by Han Xu, Li Meng, Wang Siyu, and Jia Saiqi. Other prominent names include Pan Zhenqi, Li Yuan, Zhang Ru, and promising young prospect Zhang Ziyu.
Head coach Gong Luming emphasized that the selection process was designed not only to shine a light on current national competition stars but also to build a foundation for future international success. "Any excellent player is wanted for the national team training list, and hopefully through training, we can select the best players to participate in major competitions," Gong stated, highlighting aspirations that extend to the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
In preparation, the team will begin intensive training in Kunming from April 20 to May 18 before continuing in Beijing from May 19 to June 10. A series of six warmup games are scheduled between early June and early July, with the final sprint of preparations set to begin in Shenzhen on July 10.
This carefully crafted lineup reflects China's strategic intent in women's basketball, blending experience with youthful potential to aim for Asia Cup glory and set the stage for Olympic ambitions. Sports enthusiasts and global audiences alike will be watching closely as the team embarks on this exciting journey.
Reference(s):
China's roster for basketball Women's Asia Cup training camp released
cgtn.com
