Foul play: China’s basketball team stage mid-game walk-off against Tall Blacks
Coach Du Feng pulls his team from the court in the third quarter, saying a lopsided foul count was not helping their preparation for next month’s Asia Cup
The Chinese national basketball team walked off the court during the third quarter of a behind-closed-doors match against New Zealand’s Tall Blacks at the Bruce Pulman Arena in Auckland, with coach Du Feng objecting to the nature of the officiating.
Du withdrew his team with the Tall Blacks leading 63-61 having conceded 31 fouls to New Zealand’s 18. The hosts had also been awarded 45 free-throws while the visitors were given just 14.
According to New Zealand’s Dominion Post, Du used a translator to tell the New Zealand team “[China] weren’t getting anything out of the game, and that it was not helping their preparation”.
The game, the second between the teams in as many days, was part of China’s preparation for the Asia Cup in Lebanon next month.
China, who could go up against New Zealand again at the Asia Cup, won the previous encounter between the two sides on Monday 80-70.
Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare told Fairfax that China’s withdrawal was “disappointing”.
“The fact the scrimmage ended early was disappointing, but that was not our call,” Henare said.
“We got three good quarters of competitive basketball today and will continue to work on the training court here and in China before we get to Lebanon. We have a long way to go, but I am pleased with what I am seeing from this group.”
New Zealand travel to China on Wednesday to continue their preparation for the Asia Cup.