Old guard steps aside to let newcomers shine in Hong Kong basketball squad

The Hong Kong team has undergone a shake-up with half of their Incheon Asian Games squad ditched to give up-and-coming players more international exposure as they begin their Super Kung Sheung Cup campaign later this month.

Key players Lo Yi-ting, Fong Shing-yee, Wong Chun-wai and Lee Kim-wong are all missing from the squad and have been replaced by So Yi-chun, Lau Tsz-lai, Yee Hon-fai and Mok Ka-chun. But shooting guard Lee Ki, along with point guard Chan Siu-wing and centres Duncan Reid and Tsoi Lung-tak, are still there to form the backbone of the squad and veteran Heung Chun-keung has also been recalled.

"Some of the Asian Games squad members have asked for exemption from the tournament and we therefore decided to field a number of new faces," said coach Cheng Hok-loy.

"These new players may not be that good in terms of individual skill and international exposure but they are certainly better in terms of stamina. They are also very committed since the team was sorted in November and we hope they can prove themselves in the tournament so that there can be more options for future Hong Kong teams."

The coach said he was surprised by his squad when they defeated Macau by more than 40 points in the annual Interport Cup in November. "The new players have showed a strong determination to win and I hope they can continue to improve at the Super Kung Sheung Cup," said Cheng.

The international tournament featuring seven overseas teams will be held at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai from January 27 to February 1.