CHN - Guo just trying to get better

TOKYO (FIBA Asia Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Teenager Guo Ailun hasn't made the mistake in thinking that as an Olympian, he is now an elite basketball player.

The Chinese guard discovered that while the experience of the Summer Games can be exhilarating, like taking part in the Opening Ceremony and living in the Village with other athletes from around the world, it can also be a gauge for where a player is in his development.

With the Asian champions losing all five of their games and finishing last of the 12 teams, and Guo only making appearances in three of the five games, the London experience told him that he has a very long way to go in the game with much to work on.

He also got a chance to see the likes of Kevin Durant and LeBron James wreak havoc for the gold-medal winning United States.

Guo, several weeks later, has turned out for China at the FIBA Asia Basketball Cup in Tokyo.

Far from beating his chest and proclaiming himself to be the next great player on the continent, Guo has accepted that he has shortcomings that need to be addressed if he is to have a prominent role in the team that is looking to play at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in two years time.

"I am not reading the game enough," he said.

"This is an area I need to learn the ropes very fast."

Guo has played for a club in China's CBA, Liaoning Hunters, that is renowned for developing youngsters.

If he had only a periphery role with the Asian giants at the Olympics, China looked to Guo before the Asia Basketball Cup as a player that needed to have a big tournament for them to be successful.

"I am quite thrilled in playing the role I've got," he said.

"It's just that I have this feeling all that time I'm not doing enough."

Guo didn't rack up the assists in the first game against the Philippines but he did pour in a game-high 18 points as China scraped a 71-68 victory.

In an 89-69 blowout at the hands of Lebanon the next time out, Guo walked off the court with just six points and two assists while in a 107-47 romp against Uzbekistan, Guo didn't play.

Guo, speaking to FIBA Asia, said the FIBA Asia Cup was a very important competition for him.

"I have set some personal goals to achieve in terms of improving my game," he said.

"I want to see how much I've grown as a player. And my aim in the long term is to become the best player I can ever become."

Guo is expected back on court for China when they face Macau in their last Preliminary Round Group A on Tuesday.

FIBA