Keepin' It in the Family

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. tougher than their peers. with me for so many years.” player and son of Li Chunjiang “It really bothered me at the Jiangsu Dragons rookie forward Coach Li has high expectations of beginning to delineate our roles on Zheng Qilong is one of those sec- Zheng, whose mobility around the the court and at home,” said Li, 25, ond-generation prospects who has court is a rarity for such a big man. Jiangsu also boasts another who made his pro debut in 2013. silenced accusations of nepotism “He’s got a natural gift, without young thoroughbred hoopster — Li “Having gained more experience by making his presence felt in the question,” Li, one of the CBA’s great- Lutong, the offspring of head coach coping with this delicate working top flight this season. est ever 3-point shooters, said of Li, who promoted his son from the relationship, I’ve now become used Selected by Jiangsu as the fifth Zheng. Dragons’ youth system this season. to playing under coach Li while pick in this year’s CBA draft from “But nothing is taken for granted Given that difficult dynamic, the treating him as father at home. It’s Tsinghua University, Zheng has here. Playing well in the first few younger Li perhaps requires great- all about doing your job well and emerged as a hot favorite for the games doesn’t mean anything. He er efforts than other rookies to earn enjoying family time separately.” league’s Rookie of the Year award. A needs more experience at the top minutes off the bench. With dad furiously barking power forward with a deft shooting level to be able to deliver on a more A 2.10-meter center with a slen- instructions from the sidelines, Li’s touch, the 24-year-old’s exceptional consistent basis throughout the der frame, the 18-year-old Li only game has flourished, shooting 38.1 athleticism is reminiscent of his season.” averaged 3.3 points and one percent from 3-point range to score father Zheng Wu, a prolific scorer It doesn’t look as if Zheng will be rebound in 25 minutes over three 10.1 points per game in the first for Team China in the 1990s. getting carried away with his flying games this season. phase of this season. A role player who only averaged start either. “Apparently he’s lacking the Among the rising stars of this 5.7 points on Tsinghua’s roster, the “My father has taught me a lot, strength to handle the physicality campaign, the Liaoning Leopards’ 2.02-meter forward has proved an both about being a good person of the CBA at the moment,” coach Li former NCAA player Zhang Zhen- instant fit for the Dragons, who are and a quality basketball player. said of his son’s performance after lin also boasts strong hoops genes. coached by his father’s former Now he also watches my games and the Dragons’ 110-92 defeat to the Zhang’s mother is Wang Fang, a national teammate Li Nan. points out my weaknesses and Jilin Northeast Tigers in the season former women’s national team Zheng announced his arrival by things that I need to improve on,” opener on Oct 20. player who helped Team China win scoring 20 points in his CBA debut he said. The Li family could perhaps a sliver medal at the 1992 Barcelona against the Qingdao Eagles on Oct “I used to feel the pressure when I learn a thing or two from the Zhe- Olympics. 17. Since then he has averaged 11.7 was young, but now I don’t care jiang Lions, where head coach Li Known as Kevin, Zhang averaged points (shooting 44.7 percent from about it too much. After all, my Chunjiang and his sharp-shooting 5.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 60 the field) and 4.4 rebounds over 12 father is my father, and I am still me. son Li Jinglong have worked games representing Tulane Univer- games off the bench in the first “I just want to be who I am and together for years. sity in the NCAA Division 1 from phase of the 2020-21 regular season, try to do better. In the long run, I do The senior Li is known for his 2018-20 before he decided in the which was staged in a bio-secure hope to play for my country and fol- rigorous and demanding coaching summer to turn pro and join his bubble in Zhuji, Zhejiang province, low my father’s journey.” style that helped steer the Guang- hometown club Liaoning. amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A member of China’s “golden dong Southern Tigers to seven After a two-week break, the CBA Having already being accepted class of 1996”, Zheng senior was a league titles from 2001-13. He nev- will resume its regular campaign From top: Zheng Wu, con- for a postgraduate course at Tsing- member of the national team that er shows mercy when it comes to on Wednesday with each of 20 From top: Wang Fang, sidered one of China’s great hua by the time he decided to sign finished eighth at the 1994 world correcting his son from the side- clubs playing 26 games behind former Chinese national est ever players, and his son up for the draft, Zheng is grateful championships and 1996 Atlanta lines. closed doors in the second phase in team player, and her son Zheng Qilong. XINHUA that he opted to pursue a pro bas- Olympics. Having already been put through Zhuji through Feb 4. Zhang Zhenlin. XINHUA.

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