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Stephy Zhang

Li Yize, a core member of China’s under-18 basketball team, is facing allegations of age and identity fraud, reigniting long-standing public distrust in the domestic sports system.
The controversy erupted following China’s 73-59 exhibition win over New Zealand on Friday, when Li recorded 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Despite his stand-out performance, fans online pointed out a striking resemblance between Li, whose listed birth date is March 27, 2008, and a player named Zhang Hanbo, who was registered as being born on March 19, 2006.
Zhang reportedly disappeared from competitive records after achieving a national first-class athlete rating, with no data available after he turned 16.
Conversely, Li appeared in the national youth database in 2024 with no previous history.

Both left-handed players share the same lunar birthday, the 20th day of the second month.
The 2025 National Games U18 category requires players to be born after 2007. If the allegations are true, the age adjustment would not allow the athlete to compete in an additional tournament cycle.
State media reported on Saturday that the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) had launched an investigation.
An association official said the matter would be handled with a “serious, earnest and fact-seeking attitude”, and the results would be made public.
Further scrutiny of CBA records shows that Zhang played in the U15 qualifiers in 2019 alongside current NBA player Yang Hansen, who was born in 2005. This has led to speculation that Zhang may have been overage even in earlier competitions.
The incident has sparked heated debate online regarding the integrity of the system.
“Is it that easy to change your age in China? Is this an individual act or directed by an organisation?” one user wrote.
Others expressed disbelief at the boldness of the alleged fraud in the digital era: “With the internet so developed, how do they still dare to falsify ages? They must think the CBA and the public are fools.”
A basketball blogger added: “I hope this incident doesn’t simply end with a young man quietly walking away.”
Under CBA disciplinary rules, individuals found guilty of age fraud face a three-year ban. Participating organisations can face fines of up to 20,000 yuan (US$2,760), funding cuts and registration bans.
The General Administration of Sport of China may also impose additional penalties given the player’s involvement in the National Games.
Under China’s current household registration system, changing a name or birth date requires rigorous documentation, including original birth certificates and vaccination records, followed by police investigation and approval at multiple levels.
However, age manipulation has long plagued Chinese basketball. In 2012, former CBA vice-chairman Li Yuanwei called the issue an “open secret”.
A 2008 registration audit discovered 22 players with inconsistent ages between seasons. This included veteran Zhang Qingpeng, whose birth year shifted from 1985 in his 2007 registration to 1981 just one year later.


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CBA (Chinese Basketball Association)

A side-by-side comparison highlights the striking resemblance between Li Yize (left) and Zhang Hanbo. Photo: CBA

Li Yize played for Hubei in the Under-18s tournament in Macau in the National Games in November. Photo: Xinhua

Guo Ailun (right) in action for China in 2022, has filed a report with public security authorities in Shenyang in Liaoning province. Photo: AFP

Guo Ailun, pictured last November, signed for the Guangzhou Loong Lions in 2024. Photo: Handout

Chinese star Zhou Qi, who plays for the Beijing Ducks, on a Douyin basketball podcast. Photo: Screenshot

Children’s tournament at centre of latest match-fixing scandal in China football

The China Youth Football League clash between Dongcheng Sports School 16 Orange and Kickers Lan has sparked allegations of match-fixing. Photo: Handout

Sport

Basketball

Chinese Basketball Association to investigate after striking resemblance between Li Yize and a player who has disappeared is pointed out


Chinese Basketball Association to investigate after striking resemblance between Li Yize and a player who has disappeared is pointed out.


Fans outraged as China U18 basketball player faces allegations of age, identity fraud

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Chinese Basketball Association to investigate after striking resemblance between Li Yize and a player who has disappeared is pointed out

Chinese Basketball Association to investigate after striking resemblance between Li Yize and a player who has disappeared is pointed out