China start to get ready for Changsha

BEIJING (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - Yi Jianlian and numerous others will gather for China's first national team training camp at the start of next month with a view to challenging for honors at the FIBA Asia Championship that is to be staged in the country.

The Chinese will be eager to return to the court in a competition which saw them bow out in hugely disappointing fashion in 2013, a Quarter-Final exit at the hands of Chinese Taipei that knocked them out of the hunt for a spot in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The winners of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha (23 September-3 October) will clinch a spot in the 2016 Olympics.

Yi had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the last meaningful contest at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship but China lost their way against Chinese Taipei and crashed to a 96-78 defeat.

Chinese Taipei then rubbed salt into the wound last year when they faced China again in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA Asia Cup.

Liu Cheng had an unforgettable game, connecting on three shots from behind the arc and pouring in 22 points as Chinese Taipei prevailed, 83-74.

Yi did not take part in that tournament.

China did get some of the feel-good attitude back when they clinched third place at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Korea.

With Iran, winners of three of the last four FIBA Asia Championships, among the teams they are likely to face this year in the qualifying event for the Olympics, making it to Rio is going to be a very tough proposition for Yi and Co.

The Chinese have just named the players that will be at the their 1 April training camp.

While Yi is available for national team duty, Sun Yue may not be because of a wrist injury.

He has been named on a reserve list.

Yi, Wang Zhelin, Guo Ailun, Zhou Qi, Liu Wei, Zhou Peng are among the returning players that are in the squad.

Another of those invited to camp is Fang Shuo of the Beijing Ducks, someone that has captured the attention of the Chinese media after winning promotion from the junior team and contributing to the Ducks' recent CBA title success.

Fang hails from the city of Beijing.

He is excited to have the opportunity with the national team.

To go to the national team for me is a rare opportunity - Fang

"After a season of training and competition, there is physical and mental fatigue," Fang said.

"You normally go and travel and relax.

"This year, I have to give up vacation arrangements."

China training camp squad ahead of 2015 FIBA Asia Championship: Li Rongpei, Sui Ran, Ding Yan-Yuhang, Tao Hanlin, Wu Qian, Yi Li, Han Shuo, Zou Yuchen, Wang Zhelin, Zhao Tailong, Xirelijiang, Korambek Makan, Zhou Qi, Liu Wei, Li Muhao, Gu Quan, Sun Tonglin, Wang Zirui, Cui Jinming, Yi Jianlian, Zhou Peng, Liu Xiaoyu, Gao Shang, Zhai Xiaochuan, Li Gen, Li Xiaoxu, Han Dejun, Guo Ailun, He Tianju. Reserves list: Zhuyan Xi, Sun Yue, Yuan Shai, Zhao Jiwei, Liu Zhixuan, Zhang Cheng-Yu, Zhu Xu-Hang, Luo Kaiwen, Xu Tao, Jia Cheng, Luohan Chen and Heng Yi-Feng.

FIBA