40+5! Guo Ailun is in his max salary contract year! He remains one of China's top guards.

The 2025 All-Star Celebrity Game was held a few days ago,where Guo Ailun went all out, scoring 43 points to claim the MVP title—even though it was only an entertainment game, it was still his first time earning MVP honors.

In his CBA career, Guo’s closest shot at MVP came during the 2020-21 season, when he played 44 games averaging 23.1 points, 4 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.5 steals, leading Liaoning to a 45-9 record, second best in the league. However, the MVP award went to Wu Qian (who played 46 games averaging 19 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1 steal; Zhejiang finished 41-11 in third place), which sparked significant controversy at the time.

Many people sympathized with Guo Ailun, as follows:

After missing out on the 2020-21 MVP, Guo Ailun’s morale took a severe hit, which may have indirectly contributed to the decline in his performance and physical condition. From 2021 to 2024, he only played a total of 51 regular season games, and in the summer of 2024, he was traded from Liaoning to Guangzhou.

During the 2024-25 season, Guo Ailun appeared in 11 regular season games for Guangzhou, averaging 27.5 minutes with 15.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. He had standout performances including 25 points and 7 assists, 32 points and 7 assists, 27 points and 12 assists, and 40 points with 5 assists, proving he is still a top domestic guard. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious right eye injury during team training in February and has been sidelined since. The new season starts on December 12, and as it is his max salary contract year, he is expected to return on schedule.

Confident pull-up three-pointer.

A familiar full-speed drive with contact finishing at the rim.

Increasingly smooth teamwork with teammates, hitting a mid-range jumper off a screen.

From a talent perspective, coach Guo Shiqiang could definitely consider calling up Guo Ailun for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers (two games against South Korea from November 28 to December 1). The current Chinese men’s basketball team still needs his ability to penetrate and score through tough defense. The problem is he hasn’t played an official game in a long time...

Guo Ailun, born November 14, 1993, will soon be 32 years old, and is clearly not part of China’s future national team plans. Moreover, they have already found his replacement in Liao Sanning, who has a very similar position and playing style.

“If the spring breeze could cherish the flowers, could it grant me youth once more?”