20 | Wednesday, December 2, 2020 HONG KONG EDITION | CHINA DAILY SPORTS BASKETBALL Former national team player Li Chunjiang (right), now head coach of the CBA’s Zhejiang Lions, instructs Former national team sharpshooter Li Nan (left) now coaches his son Li Lutong (right) with the CBA’s his son Li Jinglong during a game on July 27. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY Jiangsu Dragons. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY Keepin’ it in the family Born to famous hoopsters, young CBA stars are making a name for themselves in their own right By SUN XIAOCHEN ketball career and follow in the his paces on the court at the age of 9
[email protected] footsteps of his father. by dad, the younger Li never imag- “Just like everyone, I was not ined he would one day play profes- Like father, like son? Perhaps but sure about my future after gradua- I’ve now become sionally under his father’s direction not necessarily for a group of young tion,” Zheng, who majored in busi- used to playing under until the Lions signed the CBA talents who are stepping out of ness management, told Xinhua in a renowned coach from Guangdong the shadows of their basketball- recent interview. coach Li while in 2013. playing parents. “If I continue my graduate stud- treating him as father The uncharted territory, com- Despite their advantageous ies, I will probably have to give up bined with challenges in his own genes, these players’ path to promi- playing basketball. But I do not at home.” development as a pro, put Li Jing- nence has arguably been even want to let it go since it has been Li Jinglong, Zhejiang Lions long in a tough situation.