Two games, 7-for-10 from the field! Congratulations to the Chinese men's basketball team! Finally found Zhou Qi's successor

In fact, Zhou Qi really wanted to play in the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games, but the Chinese men's basketball team did not call him up. Instead, they selected Yu Jiahao, who underwent foot surgery this June...

In the 25-26 season, Yu Jiahao played for Cantabria in the Spanish LEB Gold, averaging 9.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. He is confirmed to return to the CBA's Zhejiang Lions next season.

After a full year of overseas training, this guy has shown significant improvement.In the two Asian Games games so far, he played a total of 29 minutes, making 7 of 10 field goals for 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 assists. He also went 9-for-12 from the free-throw line.

As a big center standing 2.21m and weighing 130kg, he has natural advantages in pick-and-roll and post positioning. Most importantly, he no longer has butterfingers, which naturally leads to very efficient finishing around the basket now.

Moreover, in terms of rebounding and rim protection, Yu Jiahao is arguably the best player in the Chinese men's basketball team's roster for this Asian Games. Senior Hu Jinqiu (2.11m) has always been stronger offensively than defensively due to his power forward frame, and the third interior player Jiao Boqiao (2.11m) is even less comparable.

Simply put, Yu Jiahao's current ability is not significantly behind Zhou Qi's, and he even has advantages in certain aspects. At just 23 years old, he fits the Chinese team's current building philosophy of pursuing a younger roster. Therefore, he has stood out in the competition and become the team's second center again since last year's Asia Cup.

Zhou Qi last wore the Chinese men's basketball jersey during the World Cup qualifiers at the end of last year. In two games against the South Korean men's team, he made 12 of 9 field goals (actually 12 of 9? Wait, check: "合计投篮12中9" means 12 made out of 9? That's impossible. It says 12中9, meaning 12 shots made 9? Actually Chinese: "投篮12中9" typically means 12 field goal attempts, 9 made. But it says 12中9, which is 9/12? Let me correct: "合计投篮12中9" means 12 field goal attempts, 9 made. So I'll say "making 9 of 12 field goals" or "9-for-12". But original says "12中9" and "砍下28分27板". So I'll translate: "made 9 of 12 field goals for 28 points and 27 rebounds" - but careful: "合计投篮12中9砍下28分27板" means he had 12 shots, made 9, scoring 28 points and 27 rebounds. That's plausible. So I'll write: "making 9 of 12 shots for 28 points and 27 rebounds."} making 9 of 12 shots for 28 points and 27 rebounds, but his team lost both games. This might be his last time representing the national team at age 30, because as mentioned above, a replacement for him has been found.

And former Chinese men's basketball captain Zhao Rui (30 years old) might also be shut out of the national team doors.

Yes, both the interior and guard lines of the Chinese men's basketball team have quietly undergone a generational change. Each generation has its own story.