China News Service, Beijing, February 4 (Reporter Liu Xingchen) On February 4, the 2023 China Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held in Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province.

　　This year’s admission list covers 9 individuals and 2 groups: Huang Baoling, Zhang Weiping, Kuang Lubin (outstanding male athletes); Li Shihua, Liu Qing, Li Xin (outstanding female athletes); Liu Guiyi, Chen Daohong (outstanding coaches); 1992 Chinese Women's Basketball Team at the 2012 Olympic Games (Outstanding Group); Gong Peishan (Special Contributor); 120th Division Combat Basketball Team of the Eighth Route Army (Special Tribute Group).

  Image source: Chinese Basketball Association

　　For young fans, the most familiar name on this list is Zhang Weiping.

　　As a commentator, Zhang Weiping has shared his knowledge about basketball on the commentary desk in recent years. As everyone knows, he was once a famous player who led the Chinese men's basketball team to dominate the international arena. In his seventies, Zhang Weiping was selected as an outstanding athlete into the highest hall of Chinese basketball to pay tribute to his predecessors.

　　During the entrance ceremony on the 4th, Zhang Weiping gave a humorous speech in a manner similar to storytelling, which caused laughter in the audience.

　　When sending a message to the junior players, he pointed out that young players are easily discouraged when encountering setbacks and should look at problems with a positive attitude.

  Image source: live broadcast screenshot

　　"Being recognized by peers is the highest compliment for a person." Zhang Weiping summarized his speech with this sentence.

　　Legends are passed down. This slogan of the China Basketball Hall of Fame gives the new generation of basketball players a trace to follow in pursuit of the light. As Xu Jicheng, vice chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, said: "Without inheritance, the legends of each generation will be forgotten."

　　This slogan fits Zhang Weiping very well.

　　Basket Magic, Weiping Bryant, Coach Zhang, several very representative nicknames outline Zhang Weiping's fate with basketball.

  Image source: Chinese Basketball Association official account

　　As a player, it is not an exaggeration to describe him as "killing everyone".

　　In 1960, Zhang Weiping, who was beginning to show his athletic talent, entered the basketball class of Beijing Shichahai Amateur Sports School for training. Ten years later, he joined the Beijing Men's Basketball Team.

　　At that time, in addition to completing daily training, Zhang Weiping used to practice more strength, which he did every day for several years. This allowed him, who already had outstanding physical fitness, to become an outstanding inside player in the country.

　　"When others are resting, Zhang Weiping always goes to practice more strength. His bench press weight is comparable to that of weightlifters." Sun Zhengping, a famous sports commentator, recalled.

　　In the 1970s, Chinese basketball dominated the Asian basketball world. After being selected for the national team, Zhang Weiping achieved many "zero breakthroughs" with the Chinese men's basketball team.

　　That story is quite legendary.

  Image source: Chinese Basketball Association Weibo

　　In 1975, the Chinese men's basketball team participated in the Asian Championships for the first time and won the championship with a record of 9 wins and 0 losses. In the four years since then, the team has won three consecutive Asian Championships. In 1978, the Chinese men’s basketball team won the Asian Games championship for the first time…

　　During the period when the Chinese men's basketball team dominated Asia, Zhang Weiping grew into the "backbone" of the team. With solid basic skills, he can do whatever he wants in the paint, earning him the reputation of a "basket magician."

　　Also in 1978, the Chinese men's basketball team competed in the World Championships, and Zhang Weiping showed his offensive firepower on the world basketball stage. In seven games, Zhang Weiping scored more than 27 points in five games. Facing the South Korean team and the Dominican team, he scored 30 points and 32 points respectively, helping the team achieve two victories in the tournament.

　　With 25.29 points, Zhang Weiping’s scoring average ranked second in that tournament. This record was not broken by Yao Ming until the 2006 World Championships 28 years later.

  The picture shows Zhang Weiping and Embiid. (File photo) Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Shuo

　　For Zhang Weiping, basketball is more like a lifelong friend.

　　Saying goodbye to his identity as an athlete, Zhang Weiping entered university to continue his studies. After graduation, he served as the head coach of the Beijing Women's Basketball Team and the assistant coach of the Chinese Men's Basketball Team. With the Chinese Men's Basketball Team, he won the third place in the 1985 Asian Championships, the 1986 Asian Games Championship, the 9th place in the 1986 World Championships, and the 1987 Asian Championships. Champion, 11th place in 1988 Olympic Games...

　　After the Seoul Olympics, Zhang Weiping went to the United States to work. During this period, he helped arrange and organize Chinese team and domestic club managers to go to the United States for training and inspections on many occasions, and arranged for American coaches to give lectures in China, building a bridge for Sino-US basketball exchanges.

　　The rest of the story is well known to the outside world. As a legendary figure in the history of the Chinese men's basketball team, Zhang Weiping has been active on major commentary platforms with his professional advantages, covering NBA games on the spot or serving as a guest commentator, and has contributed countless golden words.

　　During the 20-year career of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and the years after his retirement, Zhang Weiping had face-to-face communication with Kobe almost every year. Through his narration, everyone was able to witness the deep connotation of the "Mamba Mentality", the almost obsessive passion and pursuit of basketball.

  Image source: live broadcast screenshot

　　At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Zhang Weiping witnessed the Chinese Men's Basketball Team's "2008 Golden Generation" break into the quarterfinals in the commentary box and became the "Guide Zhang" among the people.

　　Just focus on the hard work and not care about the harvest. This sentence is what Zhang Weiping firmly believes in all his life. In his eyes, it is more important to do well in the present, and the results obtained are only a by-product of the process.

　　Including Zhang Weiping, many Chinese basketball seniors sent messages to young players at the Hall of Fame, saying that there are no shortcuts in basketball, and the road to success is destined to sweat.

  Image source: live broadcast screenshot

　　Liu Yudong, a member of the Chinese Basketball Hall of Fame, said frankly that athletes need to hone themselves through constant training and constantly surpass themselves.

　　Chinese basketball star Kuang Lubin, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame this time, said when sharing his basketball story: "If you can't endure the hardships of training, you won't be able to touch the winning basket."

　　The dedication of generations of basketball seniors has put Chinese basketball on the world stage. Today, this torch needs to continue to be passed on. (over)