The Chinese mainland's women's 3×3 basketball team showcased an extreme squad in Chengdu this past Saturday, securing the runners-up position with a narrow 18-17 defeat against Australia in the latest stop of the FIBA 3×3 Women's Series.
China's lineup featured a blend of seasoned Olympians and emerging talents. Wan Jiyuan and Zhang Zhiting brought their Olympic experience from the Tokyo 2021 Games, while Chen Mingling and Chen Yujie represented their prowess from the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, 2023. Notably, only Chen Yujie played as a perimeter player, a rare strategy in 3×3 basketball that emphasized a unique team dynamic.
Despite dominating the boards with their rebounding advantage, China's shooting struggles ultimately decided the game in favor of Australia. Coach Xu Jiamin reflected on the team's performance, stating, \"We didn't have a reasonable squad and lacked enough. We chose an extreme style of playing in Chengdu. Of all injured players, Chen Yujie recovered the fastest. That's why we chose this roster.\"
Undeterred by the loss, Coach Xu praised her players for their resilience and determination. \"Their fighting will kept them motivated to improve after trailing in Saturday's game,\" she added. This positive outlook hints at the team's potential growth and adaptation moving forward.
Looking ahead, Coach Xu remains open to the possibility of utilizing this extreme lineup in the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. \"There is now a regular, inflexible squad that can beat everyone in 3×3 basketball,\" she explained. \"It's always about specific players. The team's system and style can be redesigned based on the players.\"
China's women's 3×3 team previously secured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and with players like Wang Lili potentially returning for the next series in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, the team is poised to continue its competitive journey.
Reference(s):
China finish FIBA women's 3×3 Chengdu as runners-up with extreme squad
cgtn.com
