Feature: A rookie basketball coach's resilient journey through transitional challenges

by sportswriters Su Bin and Wang Hengzhi

BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Chen Xiaojia would never have anticipated her appointment as Jiangsu women's basketball team coach came in such a saddening way - after the passing away of her mentor.

After a full season of taking charge, where she led the team to an eighth-place finish in the 2024-25 Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) league as a player-coach, the 38-year-old gave a pass mark for her 'rookie' season, saying it was a journey of both growth and challenges, while also demonstrating her will to improve her judgement and adaptability on the sidelines.

RESPONSIBILITY AND INHERITANCE

"In fact, even now when I bring it up, I still feel a bit reluctant and very sad," Chen explained in a low voice about her taking over the coaching position.

In February 2024, former Jiangsu coach Ding Tie suddenly passed away with illness while leading the team to an away game. His loss came as a huge blow and the entire team was immersed in overwhelming grief.

But the team had to move on, with the task of preparing for the 15th National Games which opens in November this year. Chen, who had over 20 years' experience playing for Jiangsu, got the nod to take charge of the team last May.

"Taking this baton not only means responsibility, but more importantly, a kind of inheritance. I hope to make contributions to the development of Jiangsu basketball in another role," she reflected.

It took Chen around four months to adapt to the change in her identity. Although the road to transformation was not plain sailing, with experienced coaches by her side and her players showing full support, Chen gradually got used to her new role, leading Jiangsu to the final at the 2024 National Women's Basketball Championship, her first event since being appointed head coach.

More challenges followed. During Jiangsu's preparations for the WCBA league, several key players including Jin Weina and Zhang Manman left the team and young players were tasked with bigger roles, posing higher demands on Chen's coaching ability.

"The pressure is there, and the burden is huge," Chen admitted, adding that although the team's main focus is to develop young players, when a team that had often advanced to the semifinals of the WCBA league was handed over to her, she did not want to see a significant decline in performance, nor did she want to let those firm believers down.

She gradually came to understand the importance of mutual trust. "You have to give your players full trust, and they will reward you with the same. This is mutual achievement."

COLLECTIVE GROWTH

Chen joined the Jiangsu youth team in 2003. She was selected in China's women's basketball national team six years later, and participated in the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women and the Rio Olympics in 2016 as the starting point guard. But in the 2024-25 WCBA season, she only played in seven regular season games, averaging 4.1 points, three rebounds and three assists per game.

During the regular season, Chen would often carry both her jerseys and a suit in her backpack, and decide which role she was to play after arriving at the arena.

"It mainly depends on whether the team needs me to take command of the pace on the court," she explained.

"Given my age, it's not realistic to expect me to score many points or grab many rebounds in a game. What I need to do is to control the pace well, keep the team calm, and prevent them from being anxious, flustered or hurried," added the veteran.

As a player, Chen only needed to focus on her personal technical and tactical performances. However, switching to head coach required her to consider more things about the team, in training, in life, and even some trivial matters.

"Sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed because there are many things that I haven't experienced as a player, so it's important to take one step at a time and move forward slowly."

She would arrive at the training hall half an hour earlier than other team members - to go through the training scheme in her mind, and get herself into the warm-up condition more quickly.

The experience of being an athlete is a huge help for Chen's coaching. Having participated in major competitions, she knows what to focus on in training, and she can pass on her experience to young players to help them achieve their goals more quickly. She can also immediately perceive the emotional ups and downs of the players, and promptly offer encouragement to help them get through difficulties.

"When they are hitting a low ebb, I need to motivate them, and adjust their mindset to overcome the difficulties and setbacks as soon as possible," she said.

LAST DANCE

Currently preparing for the women's basketball qualifiers of the 15th National Games with Jiangsu, Chen said the quadrennial multi-sport event held in November will be her 'last dance' as an athlete.

"Including myself, we have registered a total of 13 players. Ensuring that everyone can compete and accomplish the mission is my main focus at this moment," Chen said. "As for technical and tactical aspects of the team, we need to gradually refine some details, both offensively and defensively, through training and competition."

Chen said that her biggest regret in this WCBA season is that due to her lack of coaching experience, her team lost by a very narrow margin in some crucial games, which came as a test to her confidence and the mentality of her players.

Meanwhile, despite going through some low points, especially after the injury of the overseas player at the midpoint of the season, Jiangsu managed a ninth-place finish in the regular season and eliminated Beijing in the first round of the playoffs. Seeing her players demonstrate an indomitable spirit, Chen felt that it was a big gain from the season.

Having played for Jiangsu for 22 years, Chen has naturally forged an inseparable bond with the team.

"The Jiangsu team has given me everything that I have now. They are just like my family," she said. Enditem