China U17 Men’s Basketball vs France Preview: Xun Sinan on Fire, Can Li Xiaoyong Lead the Team to Bounce Back?

On June 30, the FIBA U17 World Cup continues with China facing France. After China’s men’s basketball team lost their opening match to Guinea by 9 points, coach Li Xiaoyong has faced some criticism. Will he be able to guide his team to a rebound, capturing the attention of fans?

In their last game against Guinea, China struggled on both offense and defense, particularly in rebounding, losing 25-50. Diane scored 28 points and 13 rebounds, while Touré had 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, virtually dismantling China’s defensive line. Aside from Xun Sinan’s 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 blocks, the rest of the Chinese team failed to meet expectations. Domestic scoring leader Zhang Bobo managed only 11 points on 4 of 13 shooting and 5 rebounds. Consequently, China lost 92-101 to Guinea.

Facing France, who are ranked among the top three in FIBA’s power rankings, China will need more adjustments from Li Xiaoyong, rather than relying heavily on core players like Zhang Bobo. Without his consistent performance, China lacks reliable local offensive contributors.

In their opener against the USA, France fell behind with a 17-31 first-quarter deficit. They improved in the second quarter but were overwhelmed again in the third as the US outscored them 27-17. The fourth quarter became a training exercise, ending in an 81-104 defeat for France.

Individually, French standout Lemovana scored 16 points, while Arad contributed 19. Players like Eboumboungue, Gedeon, and Heger, who underperformed in their first game, could potentially bounce back strongly against China, given their overall superior talent.

China and France have met twice before in U17 competitions, with China losing both times, albeit with single-digit margins. Given the volatility in youth basketball, can Li Xiaoyong avoid a consecutive loss and the associated embarrassment?