Hong Kong Eastern to take on China squad in Fiba World Cup and Asian Games practice matches

Hong Kong club heading to Qingdao next month to provide opposition at national team’s mini training camp

China head coach Aleksandar Dordevic expected to run the rule over fringe players, although star Zhou Qi expected to attend

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(211127) -- SENDAI, Nov. 27, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Zhou Qi (R) of China vies with Schafer Avi Koki of Japan during a group B match between China and Japan of FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers at Xebio Arena in Sendai, Japan, on Nov. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Published: 8:00am, 22 Apr 2023

Hong Kong Eastern will take on a China side as part of the national team’s preparations for the men’s Fiba World Cup and the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Aleksandar Dordevic, the China head coach, is expected to use the two practice matches to evaluate fringe players, before trimming down his squad to a final roster of 12 for the two competitions in August and September.

But at least one big name is expected to be there, with Zhou Qi, who is presently without a club, taking part.

Oliver Lee Shu-wing, Eastern’s administrative manager, said players who were involved in the Chinese Basketball Association play-offs would also “likely not be there”.

“The rest will be made up of younger players who have yet to nail down a spot on the team list,” Lee said.

Eastern co-captain Stephen Chan Siu-wing will be among those making the cut for the mainland China trip. Photo: Handout

Zhou has not played in any competitive games since he featured in two Fiba World Cup qualifying wins against Kazakhstan and Iran in Hong Kong in late February.