BEIJING (China) - Zhai Xiaochuan made his FIBA Asia Cup debut for China at the age of 22 years old in 2015. It was a relatively young age for one to make a senior national team debut, but not surprising for some like Zhai who knew early on that ‘ball was going to be his life.

"I fell in love with basketball when I was six years old," Zhai said. "Later, when I went to school, I gradually began to start training with my friends. I think watching the basketball superstars play on TV inspired me to do better."

Among one of those superstars that young Zhai would fix his eyes on in the television screen was none other than Tracy McGrady. Zhai would even imitate McGrady’s movement on the court, not yet knowing that he would eventually get the chance to play against his idol in the 2012-2013 CBA season.

"When we were kids, we always imitated how he held the ball with one hand. He will always be my idol."

Through imitating the likes of "T-Mac" and other basketball inspirations, Zhai developed into quite the talent himself. It didn’t take long for him to take basketball seriously to another level.

"I decided to take basketball as my lifelong career when I was in the third grade of junior high school," Zhai said. "So to find a competent basketball coach, I went to Tangshan Sports School and finally came to Beijing."

His decision paid off quickly.

Zhai made the youth national team at the U16 Asia Championship in 2009 where he played alongside Guo Ailun all the way to winning the title. He was the third-leading scorer on that team and scored 20 points in a comfortable title game win over Iran.

He was still one of China’s top players later at the U17 World Cup in 2010 where they finished 7^th. Zhai averaged 15.3 points per game in that tournament, highlighted by a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double in a win over Argentina.

"Representing the youth team was the beginning of my entry into the national team," Zhai said of that experience. "When I participated in the competition as a part of those teams, I just wanted to enhance my ability to achieve the best achievement."

The star forward stapled his status as one of the brightest up-and-coming stars in China a year later at the U19 World Cup where he averaged 12.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Now the next stage for him was among the big boys at the professional level.

Even at just a young age of 18, Zhai continued to shine in his rookie year in the CBA with the Beijing Ducks. Expectations were already high coming in with his status as a youth national team star, but he exceeded those projections with a spectacular season averaging 11.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Side by side with Stephon Marbury, Zhai won the CBA title in just his first year, scoring 22 points in the championship-clinching game.

As always, he was on the fast track to success.

Four years later, after a steady and consistent performance in the league, Zhai had already made his way to be on the senior national team roster. He was set to play for China at Asia Cup 2015 in China.

"When I joined the senior team, I changed myself to fight more for the honor of our country and show our fans the best competition," he said. "I'm excited about every competition because as long as I play on behalf of the country, I will exert my efforts to contribute to my country."

To be exact, Zhai contributed 8.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game for his country at Changsha in 2015 as they went on to win their 16^th Asia Cup title. The stakes were high for China in that tournament and they could definitely feel that weight on their shoulders. But nonetheless, they prevailed and came out as champions.

"We were really under huge pressure that year because the only opportunity to participate in Rio 2016 was by winning the championship of the Asian Cup,” Zhai explained. "We were nervous and excited all the time."

"When we were down by 20 points against Korea and we did sustain a lot of pressure. Then we turned the tables and won the game. The breathtaking win made our team cohesive and enhanced our combat effectiveness."

"I have to say, we have learned and exercised a lot from that competition."

The 2.05M (6’9”) forward who mentions that he prefers to bully his way in for points is now a staple of the national team, most recently playing at the World Cup. Now 27 years old, he’s coming into his own as a leader himself by learning from his "big brother".

"Yi Jianlian is my role model," Zhai said. "He has always helped us younger players when he is on the national team and his self-discipline every day is the best example for us to follow."

China has a tough road ahead of them as they need to get through the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in order to make a return to the Olympics. They are scheduled to play at the OQT in Victoria, Canada which has been rescheduled to June 29 - July 4, 2021. Fans can expect Zhai to give it his all if he makes the squad once again, just as he did during the World Cup when he fought through cramps playing against Poland.

"I will give it my all to win the game and fight for the honor of my country!"

FIBA