New coach aims for net gains

National basketball team faces two qualifiers to tune up form in World Cup quest

With emphasis on teamwork, details and intensity setting the tone, new head coach Aleksandar Djordjevic has kicked off his rebuild of the national basketball team aiming high for this summer's World Cup challenge.

With the shoes squeaking, balls pounding and instructions shouted out loud from the sidelines, the intense gym ambience during Team China's recent training sessions has made a clear statement on the national program's resolve under the helm of Djordjevic — to fight its way back into international prowess at whatever the cost.

Appointed in November by the Chinese Basketball Association, Serbian coach Djordjevic is overseeing the first training camp of an 18-player national roster, handpicked by him, at a facility in Shanghai, with two qualifying games next week for the 2023 FIBA World Cup proving a critical test for his tutelage.

"It's not our job to do conclusion right now. It's a start of a process" Djordjevic said after an opening training session in Shanghai on Saturday.

"There was a lot of professionalism that I appreciate a lot and great response from the players on the floor," Djordjevic said of his first impression of the Chinese squad. "They are very professional and have a lot of desire to play. Now you have to transfer that into a great thinking with the call of the game of basketball."