 |
Chinese Cagers Impressed by Adidas Basketball Camp
Among 234 entries for the 17th Adidas Basketball Camp, a pair of Chinese teenage players, along with other four internationals from Canada, Portugal and Spain, have been standing in the limelight and are deeply impressed by the fierce competitive atmosphere in the camp.
Zhang Qingpeng, 16, from Fushan, China, acknowledged to Xinhua that "I'm deeply shocked for my lack of skills in such a fierce atmosphere. All these American guys just keep fighting with tough body contacts, and I'm still not used to the situation as I can hardly perform my best under so tight strains."
"I've learned a lot, and I know I still have a long way to catch up with the best young players in the world," added Zhang, one of two players selected by four American coaches from 50 best teenage players under 18 in China.
Tang Zhengdong, 18, from Nanjing, China, is the tallest player in the camp with a height of 2.13 meters. "I tried to exploit my offensive weapons and I knew I had a lot to improve, particularly in the defensive end, including my footwork."
The annual Adidas training camp has long been the premiere summer showcase of high school talents, with all the NCAA coaches and most NBA scouts scattering around the courts for four days in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, running to Wednesday.
"We're dedicated to improve the competitive levels for the young Chinese players," said Paul Pi, marketing director of the Adidas (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., "We don't expect the Chinese players to catch up with the best players in the world in two or three years, but we do hope they would do so someday in the future."
"And the training camp will be a great experience for both Tang and Zhang, and also a boost for all those who love basketball but missed the camp in China," he said, adding that Adidas has been promoting basketball in China for four years through the Street Basketball and the premier league.
As the camp is entering its 17th year, Huang Haibin, from Beijing, was the first Chinese player selected in 2000, said Lydia Zhu, Adidas public relations manager.
"Tang is a guy with great potential, and I'm confident that he will become a very solid players in years if I can coach him," said Bill Ellerlee, of Gratz high school, who had been coaching Rasheed Wallace for four years before he joined in North Carolina and became the best power forward for the Portland Trail Blazers.
"What Tang misses most is experience, and he's already knew a lot," added Bill, "And he must understand his advantages and disadvantages, and I only wish I could speak Chinese."
The annual camp has been attracting the best teenage players from the U.S. high schools and from the world, as it serves as a springboard for the teenagers to join in elite colleges in the NCAA, the second echelon for the National Basketball Association.
So far, the best player from the camp is Kobe Byrant, a senior MVP in 1995, who also visited the camp on Sunday.
In This Section
|