This recognition led to her selection into the prestigious Beijing Shougang Women's Youth Basketball Team when she was in high school, a turning point that set the stage for her burgeoning career. From Shougang youth team to adult team, her trajectory soared as she played a key role in Team China winning the Women's Basketball Asia Cup in July 2023. By March 2024, her consistent performance had earned her a reserve spot in the prestigious 2024 All-Star Game of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA).

At the press conference for the 2024-25 WCBA season in Beijing on November 8, the 25-year-old athlete, with short hair, stood poised and relaxed on stage. "I hope more young girls can get on the court and love basketball," she said. "My goal is to surpass my previous achievements and continue pushing my limits."

From courts to communities 

The 2024-25 season of the WCBA league, now in its 22nd year, runs from November this year to April next year. This season, a record 21 clubs from 20 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China are participating. International players include some athletes from the WNBA league in the United States, including Jonquel Jones and All-Star Cheyenne Parker.

"The WCBA league is committed to promoting the popularization and development of women's basketball," Guo Zhenming said at the press conference. Guo is the newly elected chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), succeeding world-renowned former basketball player Yao Ming.

Xu Jicheng, Vice Chairman of the CBA, said the WCBA is the largest women's basketball league in the world. "The high level of public participation in women's basketball in China and the historical success of the Chinese women's national team are inseparable," he told Beijing Review.

These achievements include winning a bronze medal at the 1983 World Championship and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, securing a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and claiming a silver at the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. These successes have not only turned numerous female basketball players into stars but have also expanded the sport's reach.

Born in 1960, Xu was a basketball player in his teens before transitioning to a career as a sports journalist with Xinhua News Agency, where he

specialized in covering basketball events. He notably reported on the inaugural 1997 WNBA season. Chinese basketball player Zheng Haixia participated in the WNBA's inaugural season and was honored with the season's Sportspersonship Award.

Having witnessed the evolution of women's basketball in China over the decades, Xu is delighted to see the sport's increasing popularity. "In the past, many held the clichéd view that basketball was a game for tall athletes," he observed. "Now, a growing number of people view it as a lifestyle and a means of socializing."

He said basketball requires full-body movement, engaging everything from the toes to the fingertips, and it also demands strategic thinking.

Song Xiaobo, the former team leader of the Chinese Women's Basketball Team, has made significant strides in promoting women's basketball with the launch of the Pink Storm initiative in 2020.

Pink Storm aims to create a nationwide platform for women's basketball, offering a wide range of activities from youth to adult open categories, including training sessions and spectator events. "We aim to develop a trendy ecosystem for amateur female basketball enthusiasts," Song said. "Many women love playing basketball but rarely have the chance to compete in amateur-focused events. 'Pink Storm' creates more opportunities for female basketball fans to enjoy the sport."

The events feature pink backboards, pink baskets, and pink uniforms, fostering a vibrant and female-centric atmosphere. One of the frequently used venues is located in Beijing's bustling central business district, where the pink-decorated basketball court stands out against the backdrop of towering skyscrapers. 

Since its inception, Pink Storm has hosted multiple events across the country, involving over 100 teams and thousands of female players. "More women are finding relaxation on the basketball court while also forming valuable mentorships and friendships," Song claimed. "It has showcased the beauty of women's agility and strength through basketball, thereby promoting the sport's widespread popularity and development in China."

From player to pioneer 

Zhang Lin, head coach of the Beijing Shougang Park Basketball Team, hailed the achievements of Pink Storm in expanding the reach of basketball. She is also actively involved in promoting the sport, particularly among young people, frequently visiting primary and middle schools to guide students in basketball.

"Passion is the key to diving into the sport of basketball," she said. Discovered for her natural talent at an early age, Zhang moved from Henan Province to Beijing at 13 and played for the Shougang team until she was 34. She then transitioned to coaching, starting with the juvenile team, and has now served as head coach of the Shougang team for three years.

Her career exemplifies the career journey of a seasoned basketball player, encapsulating the life of a dedicated athlete.

"I have spent the majority of my life with the Shougang team in Beijing. This is where I found love and where I am raising my two children," she said.

Zhang is impressed by the team's new arena, which was converted from a facility used during the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. "It's a fantastic place, and I bet every basketball player dreams of playing on this court," she said.

The Beijing Shougang Park Basketball Team has won the WCBA championship four times, achieving a three-peat from 2015 to 2018. "It's unfortunate that we haven't achieved much in the last two years, but I am hopeful for better outcomes this season," she said.

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson 

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