China Launches Basketball Reforms to Boost Olympic Aspirations

China is embarking on a significant overhaul of its basketball framework, aiming to secure a prominent position in global sports and achieve Olympic success. Following the NBA’s recent return to China, the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) has announced a series of ambitious reforms designed to enhance talent development, attract foreign investment, and set clear objectives for national teams, including qualifying for the 2028 Olympics.

In a statement released on December 4, GASC outlined comprehensive guidelines targeting provinces, municipalities, and relevant associations. The focus will be on enhancing youth, grassroots, and professional basketball while promoting open competition and comprehensive development. The agency has emphasized the need for high-quality foreign investment and the establishment of overseas leagues and training institutions in China to further bolster the sport.

As part of its long-term strategy, GASC has set specific targets for national basketball teams. The men’s team is expected to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games and consistently excel by 2035. Meanwhile, the national women’s team is tasked with achieving world-class status, and all squads should aim to advance to international levels.

The reforms also intend to strengthen the youth basketball scene, with GASC projecting a significant increase in the number of young players participating in the sport by 2030. The agency underscores the importance of enhancing Chinese basketball’s global influence, particularly as the sport enjoys immense popularity in the country.

The NBA’s recent activities in China have reignited interest in basketball. After a six-year hiatus, the league returned in October, hosting two sold-out pre-season matches in Macau featuring the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that two matches per year are expected to occur in Macau over the next four years, with potential expansions to other regions in China.

During a recent meeting in Shenyang, GASC Director Gao Zhidan convened with various stakeholders from the basketball community, including officials from seven Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) teams and the professional minor National Basketball League (NBL). This gathering reflects the collaborative effort to implement the proposed reforms effectively.

Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. The Chinese men’s national basketball team recently faced setbacks, suffering back-to-back defeats to South Korea in qualifying matches for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup. The team lost 76-90 in their latest match, following a previous defeat of 80-76 in Beijing.

Head coach Guo Shiqiang acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “At the moment, the Chinese team is in a very passive position. Losing to South Korea in back-to-back games has indeed made it much harder for us to reach the World Cup finals,” as reported by the state-run Global Times.

Player Hu Jinqiu described the losses as a harsh reality, emphasizing the need for reflection and improvement. “Losing two straight games leaves us with a lot to reflect on. But I will always believe in our entire group and our entire team. This is not our true level; we’ve lost the internal fighting spirit and mentality we used to have,” he stated.

As China pushes forward with its basketball reforms, the focus will be on revitalizing the sport at all levels and ensuring that national teams can compete effectively on the international stage. The coming years will be crucial for Chinese basketball as it seeks to transform its aspirations into tangible results.