Basketball at Tsinghua: a tradition of teamwork and success

Editor’s note

Recently, Tsinghua University clinched the national championship title in the men's basketball final of the 26th CUBAL. Their 86-81 victory marked a historic five-peat championship, embodying the "No Sports No Tsinghua" spirit.

Basketball is a beloved sport at Tsinghua, with many students participating in pickup games and organized teams. Some of these talented players have even gone on to compete professionally, bringing recognition to the university on the national and international stage. 

Let’s hear from three of our talented basketball lovers as they share their experiences with basketball and what the sport means to them, and learn more about the exciting world of basketball at Tsinghua. 

01

Zou Yang：

Living his basketball dream

In the 24th CUBA final, Tsinghua defended the championship while Zou Yang was named FMVP in the latest game. “Excited, unexpected, anxious, uplifting, passionate.” These were the first words he spoke after the victory. These simple words unfolded the grand picture of his basketball life.

The story began in elementary school when his father, a big basketball lover, always took him along to play with his friends. Zou Yang was immediately caught by the sport. In the following years, he poured all his passion and effort into basketball training. He also volunteered to be the coach of the Department of Hydraulic Engineering, leading them to a third-place finish in the Ma Yuehan Cup.

Tsinghua ignited his wild ambition, and Zou Yang personally experienced the rise of the Tsinghua Men's Basketball Team. He completed daily training every afternoon on weekdays and a whole day on Saturdays. "I just feel myself getting absorbed in it, and I love my team,"he said.

Since junior high school, Zou Yang has fought in different competitions around China. The contest against Hua Qiao University in 2020 left a lasting impression on him. Tsinghua once faced a 23-point deficit. “I was almost thinking about how to go home the next day when I entered the locker room at halftime,” he laughed.

Thanks to Chen Lei's guidance and team spirit, they chased back step by step, miraculously recovering the point gap and taking the lead at the last minute. Unbelievable! Compared to his impressive statistics, Zou Yang emphasized attitude growth. “It's like conquering an insurmountable mountain and finally gaining unparalleled gains,” he said. 

2022 marks his fourth year in CUBA and the first three consecutive CUBA championships in Tsinghua's history. The FMVP was a perfect ending for Zou Yang. “No pity now,” he happily explained. Looking ahead, he will firmly pursue his dream of becoming a professional basketball player."

02

Wu Chuchu: 

Basketball has helped me find community and handle stress

"Failure means more than success," says Wu Chuchu, a core member of the Women's Basketball Team of the Social Science Department. For her, sports are not just about training the body physically, but also the mind. Over the last 12 years of playing basketball, she has learned valuable lessons that have helped her handle stress and other difficulties in life.

Wu believes that the transfer value of athletics is the ability to apply the effort and determination required to overcome challenges in sports to other areas of life. When you understand that failure is a necessary part of the process of identifying mistakes and working harder, you can use those same skills to overcome challenges in other areas of your life.

Wu also values the close-knit community and sense of fellowship in the basketball team. "Basketball is not a one-man game," she says. Wu recalls the previous season, when she organized an optional training session during lunchtime. Despite her clear indication that attendance was not required, the entire team showed up. Some players arrived directly after class and didn't have time for lunch, while others rushed to the court with heavy books in hand. "It was good to learn and grow together." 

As one of the most experienced members of the team, she was pleased to see everyone's improvement that season. "I love our team so much," she says.

Join Tsinghua University and be part of a community of sports lovers. With top-notch facilities and a thriving athletics community, you can enjoy all kinds of sports and pursue your passions in the new year.

03

Chen Lei：

Training players to rise to the occasion 

“Every game is a learning experience. It doesn't matter if you win or lose, just stay relaxed and give it your best effort," advises Chen Lei, the former CBA player and captain of the Beijing Shougang Basketball Club, who now serves as the coach of the Tsinghua Men's Basketball Team, leading them to consecutive victories in the Chinese University Basketball Association finals.

Basketball has played a major role in Chen's life ever since he was first introduced to the sport at the age of 15 in junior high school. During his 18 years in the CBA League, his defining moment came when the Beijing Club won the CBA championship for the first time on March 30, 2012. "That victory marked the beginning of our dynasty and resulted in three more championships in the next four years," Chen reflects.

After retiring as a player in 2018, the Tsinghua Men's Basketball Team invited Chen to coach the team. On the court, he never lowers standards and encourages players to watch game videos repeatedly to improve their skills intuitively. His hard work as a coach has paid off, with the team winning three CUBA championships.

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TsinghuaRen | Basketball at Tsinghua: a tradition of teamwork and success

Writers: Liao Yubin, Natasha

Editors: Liu Shutian, Gillian Tan, Fang Si

Designer: Xia Yifei

Reviewers: Chen Ken, Lin Yuan