Goodbye, Xu Jie! Farewell, Zhang Ning! The Chinese men's basketball team has announced a roster of 12 players.

The Chinese men's basketball team has officially announced its roster of 12 players for the competition, as follows:

Guards Gao Shiyan, Hu Mingxuan, Zhao Rui, Cheng Shuai Peng, and Liao Sanning;

Forwards Wang Junjie, Zhao Jiayi, Leimeng, and Zhu Junlong;

Centers Hu Jinqiu, Yu Jiahao, and Li Xiangbo.

The opponents in the group stage are relatively weak, and we must strive to advance to the quarterfinals as the group leader.

The schedule for the Chinese men's basketball team in the group stage includes matches against Saudi Arabia (the host), India, and Jordan, as follows:

Among this roster, only three players have previously participated in the Asian Cup: Zhao Rui (2022), Hu Mingxuan (2022), and Hu Jinqiu (2017), while the other nine are all first-timers, indicating a significant level of uncertainty.

In the previous Asian Cup matches, Zhao Rui averaged 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, Hu Mingxuan averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, and Hu Jinqiu averaged 10.2 points and 5.2 rebounds. All three are currently in peak condition and play core roles, potentially showcasing even more outstanding performances in this year's Asian Cup.

Especially Hu Jinqiu, who, in the absence of Zhou Qi and Yang Hanshen, is not only the absolute pillar of the current Chinese men's basketball team but also the primary core; the team's success in this year's Asian Cup will largely depend on his performance.

Since the official roster of 12 has been announced, it means that Xu Jie and Zhang Ning, who traveled with the team to Saudi Arabia, have essentially made the trip in vain.

Zhang Ning responded on social media: "The beginning is always difficult; what comes next?"

The public feels the most regret over Xu Jie's exclusion, as the current Chinese men's basketball team lacks a genuine point guard, primarily relying on Zhao Rui, Hu Mingxuan, and Liao Sanning to share the role, and many do not believe that the former is superior to Gao Shiyan.

That Gao Shiyan could surpass Xu Jie is something that many would have never imagined before.

In the last CBA regular season, Xu Jie averaged 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 44.5%, 36.6%, and 85.5%; Gao Shiyan averaged 11.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 2.2 steals, with shooting percentages of 41.4%, 35.3%, and 88%.

If one had to point out where Gao Shiyan excels over Xu Jie, it might be his defensive abilities and his close relationship with Guo Shiqiang.