Popularity of hoops keeps retired player in Dongguan

The growing popularity of basketball in Dongguan, Guangdong province, is a key factor behind Du Feng's determination to stay with a local professional team.

"I felt at home when I played for the Dongguan team," said Du, a former player for China's first professional basketball club, the Guangdong Southern Tigers, as well as the national team.

Du, 33, stayed at the Dongguan-based club, serving as coach, after he retired as a professional player in April 2012.