Stoking hoop hopes

A pioneer program is paving the way for Chinese youngsters to emulate the path taken by their NBA idols from high school to the professional ranks.

Using Boston Celtics All-Star guard Kyrie Irving as his model, Guo Yuchao, a ball-handling specialist for the Tsinghua University High School team, has been polishing his crossover dribble, midrange jumper and finishing skills since entering the basketball speciality school in 2015.

Now, as one of nine players drafted through the Beijing Shougang Group's Basketball Pioneers Program, Guo is embracing a chance to follow Irving's route to stardom.