China Men’s Basketball Edges Uruguay 83-78 in Foshan Warm-Up
The Chinese men’s national basketball team opened its Foshan warm-up series with an 83-78 victory over Uruguay on Wednesday evening at the Desheng Sports Center in Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong Province. All 11 players who appeared in the game scored for China, according to Xinhua News.
A Test of Defensive Patience
Shooting guard He Xining led all scorers with 17 points, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, while Jiao Boqiao contributed a breakout 14-point performance on 6-of-8 shooting. Center Hu Jinqiu added 12 points and five rebounds as China’s interior anchor.
The match was the first of three scheduled warm-up games in the Foshan leg, as the team continues preparation for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers. China entered the game ranked 30th in the world, while Uruguay sat at 42nd.
China jumped out to a 6-0 lead behind He Xining’s early scoring, including a four-point play, and held a 29-24 advantage after the first quarter. Uruguay responded with strong defensive pressure in the second, with Bianchi scoring eight straight points, but Liao Sanning’s buzzer-beater sent China into halftime with a 48-46 lead.
Fourth-Quarter Surge Seals the Win
After a tight third quarter that saw China extend its lead to 63-57, guard Pang Zhenglin sparked a decisive fourth-quarter run. He recorded a key steal that led to Zhu Junlong’s corner three, then delivered a fast-break assist to He Xining to push China’s lead into double digits. Uruguay mounted a late comeback attempt but was hampered by foul trouble, committing 30 team fouls to China’s 16.
China’s three-point shooting proved decisive, as the team connected on 11-of-26 attempts (42.3 percent) compared to Uruguay’s 6-of-27 (22.2 percent).
Coach Guo: Physicality and Patience Needed
Head coach Guo Shiqiang acknowledged the challenge posed by Uruguay’s precise ball movement and disciplined execution, noting that the match provided valuable preparation.
“This type of team poses a huge test to our defensive patience and focus,” Guo said. “Regardless of the opponent’s style, we need to control our own rhythm and do ourselves well — then our chances of winning are very high.”
Guo also noted areas for improvement: “Throughout the game, the team’s ability and awareness of proactive physical confrontation still needs strengthening. Our defense on the court needs more patience.”
Notable Returns and Roster Changes
Hu Mingxuan and Cheng Shuaipeng both returned to the national team after recovering from injuries, while Wang Junjie, recently back from playing in the United States, appeared in the 12-man lineup. Hu Mingxuan struggled in his return, going 0-of-3 from the field but converting all three free throws for 3 points, as detailed in game coverage.
The match followed significant roster adjustments announced earlier in the week, with Zeng Fanbo, Wang Haoran, and Zhao Weilun departing the training camp on August 10, according to reports on team changes.
Local Impact and What’s Next
The match drew a passionate crowd at the Desheng Sports Center, with fans in “Foshan, I’m Here” t-shirts creating a sea of red throughout the arena. Hu Jinqiu praised the atmosphere, saying the “deafening cheers throughout the game gave us tremendous energy,” and called the venue “a top-tier facility that has hosted the National Games,” as local coverage reported.
The venue has now hosted more than 10 high-level basketball events, attracting over 180,000 spectators, part of Shunde’s broader push to develop its sports economy through basketball, running, dragon boat racing, and football.
China will face Uruguay again on August 15 at 19:30 (CCTV5+ broadcast), followed by a match against New Zealand on August 17. The team then travels to face Qatar and Lebanon in the fourth window of the World Cup qualifying later this month, with key player Yang Hansen expected to join the squad for those qualifiers, as analysis of the upcoming games notes.