JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - China have never fallen short of elite big men in their always-deep talent stash, and that will not change in the much-awaited FIBA Asia Cup 2025 with Hu Jinqiu expected to banner their frontline.
His name may not ring a bell for some, but the Xinjiang-born hooper has always been among the traditional contenders' more reliable yet silent cogs ever since making the jump to the senior level back in 2016.
One need not look that far for proof. Hu was one of Team China's best performers during the 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers, posting norms of 17.5 points on 75.4-percent shooting from the field alongside 6.3 rebounds.
He played in all six games and was indeed key in their near-sweep (5-1) of the tilt, which they ended with a four-game winning streak that saw them run roughshod over their foes by an average margin of 34.0 points.
The 27-year-old has never shown any apprehension whatsoever no matter how big the stage could get, and that's something he's proven ever since he first represented China in the FIBA youth ranks.
Hu first burst into the scene as a lanky yet effective big during the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2013. There, he netted 20.6 points and 12.9 rebounds,, playing a major role in the Chinese' nine-game sweep toward the title.
He'd go on to continue his exploits in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2014 (17.4 PPG & 12.3 RPG) and in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2015 (13.7 PPG & 9.3 RPG), and all those would be enough to merit a call-up.
He's become a men's team mainstay since, having gone to seven FIBA competitions, including the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 which, at the moment, serves as the grandest stage he has ever competed in.
What about the Asia Cup? He's quite experienced in that, too. Hu played in the 2017 edition in Beirut, Lebanon as one of its younger players, and made a good account of himself as he tallied 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Soon, he could be bound for his second Asia Cup stint.
And if ever, he'd be taking on an even more significant duty manning the fort for the continental contest's most successful team, which is looking to get back the throne it last ascended to in 2015 in Changsha.
There should be no doubt that he's more than ready to do so.
Hu and Team China are situated in Group C together with host nation Saudi Arabia, rivals Jordan, and the youth-laden India. To know more about their upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 campaign, click here.
FIBA