BEIJING (China) - China are ramping up their preparations for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 as the Asians just came back after a two-week training camp in Europe.
Head coach Qu Shaobin has brought a group of 12 players including stars Zhang Boyuan and Zhu Zheng - also known as Jacob Zhu - to a camp in Slovenia from March 23 to April 5. The team was scheduled to play eight games during that time against youth club teams from Slovenia and Italy.
China's training camp roster for 2025
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Chen Jiazheng | Cui Xinquan | Feng Ao | Guo Fengwei |
Hou Mengze | Liu Li | Wang Hongze | Yang Yi |
Zhang Boyuan | Zhang Huafei | Zhou Kefan | Zhu Zheng (Jacob Zhu) |
Zhang Boyuan had a big summer last year, first playing at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 and averaging 17.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He then helped China finish third at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 with 17.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest.
The forward will certainly be one of the leaders for Coach Qu this summer in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the Chinese were drawn into Group B along with Canada, Germany and Slovenia.
Another big name at the camp is Zhu, who has yet to represent China internationally as he was raised in the USA. Zhu, who is known in USA as Jacob Zhu, has since registered with the Chinese Basketball Association and joined Shanghai Sharks.
In addition to Zhang, Coach Qu included seven other players from last summer's U18 team in Jordan: Chen Jiazheng, Cui Xinquan, Feng Ao, Liu Li, Wang Hongze, Yang Yi and Zhang Huafei. And Guo Fengwei participated in the 2023 Basketbal Without Borders Asia camp.
Two major absences from the training camp team are the twin brother Huan Sinan and Huan Sifeng, who are both in high schools in the USA.
The FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 runs from June 28 to July 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland. China are participating for the 13th time in the 17 editions.
FIBA