I still remember the first time I watched Chris Gavina coach a collegiate game last Sunday. There was something electric in the air—a sense that Hong Kong basketball might finally be turning a corner on the international stage. Having followed Asian basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed how Hong Kong's national team has often been overshadowed by regional powerhouses like China and the Philippines. Yet what I saw that day made me genuinely optimistic about our basketball future, though the road ahead remains challenging.
The transformation didn't happen overnight. Back in 2017, our national team was ranked 78th globally—a position that hardly reflected our potential. Fast forward to today, and we've climbed to 62nd position, with notable victories against teams like Thailand and Indonesia. What's changed? In my view, it's the systematic approach we've adopted in developing young talent. The Hong Kong Basketball Association has invested approximately $2.3 million into youth programs since 2018, and we're starting to see the payoff. When I spoke with several young players last month, their technical proficiency surprised me—they're developing skills that rival what I've seen in established basketball nations.
Chris Gavina's appointment represents a crucial piece of this puzzle. Having watched numerous international coaches come and go, I believe his approach brings something different. His first collegiate game demonstrated a modern offensive system that emphasizes spacing and player movement—concepts that our local coaches have been slower to adopt. During that Sunday game, his team attempted 28 three-pointers, making 12 of them. That's precisely the kind of offensive philosophy we need to compete internationally. I've always argued that Hong Kong teams rely too heavily on isolation plays, and Gavina's system could be the antidote.
The infrastructure improvements have been equally impressive. The new training facility in Tseung Kwan O, which I visited last month, features six professional-grade courts and sports science equipment that rivals what I've seen in European clubs. The government's commitment of $15 million over three years demonstrates serious intent. Yet as someone who's visited basketball facilities across Asia, I can't help but notice we're still playing catch-up. Our neighbor Guangdong province alone has 32 similar facilities—we need to accelerate our development to remain competitive.
Player development remains our biggest challenge. While we've produced quality guards like Duncan Reid and Lee Ki, our frontcourt depth concerns me. The average height of our national team centers is 201 cm—significantly shorter than the 210 cm average among top Asian teams. This physical disparity becomes glaring when we face teams like Iran or China. I've been advocating for more specialized big man training programs, perhaps bringing in international experts specifically for this purpose. The recent success of 19-year-old center Wong Chun, who grew 8 cm in three years through specialized nutrition programs, shows what's possible with targeted investment.
International exposure has improved dramatically. Our national team played 18 international games last year—the most in our history. Compare that to 2015, when we managed only 6 international fixtures. The increased competition level is evident in how our players handle pressure situations. I noticed during the recent Asia Cup qualifiers that our players appeared more composed in close games—something that comes from regularly facing diverse playing styles. Still, we need to secure more games against European and American opponents to truly test our development.
The commercial aspect of Hong Kong basketball deserves more attention. Our professional league attracts an average of 800 spectators per game—respectable but far from the 4,000 averages I've seen in South Korea or Japan. Sponsorship revenue has grown 15% annually since 2019, reaching approximately $1.2 million last season. While encouraging, this represents just a fraction of what established basketball markets generate. I've been pushing for more creative marketing approaches, perhaps leveraging Hong Kong's unique position as an international city to create distinctive fan experiences.
Looking ahead, the 2027 FIBA Asia Cup qualification presents our next major test. Based on current projections, we'll likely need to win at least 8 of our 12 qualification games to secure automatic qualification. That's an ambitious target, but achievable with proper preparation. The emergence of young talents like 17-year-old point guard Jason Li gives me hope—his performance in the U18 Asian Championship last month reminded me of a young Jeremy Lin.
Ultimately, Hong Kong basketball stands at a crossroads. We've made tangible progress, but the hardest work lies ahead. The combination of improved coaching, better infrastructure, and increased international exposure provides a solid foundation. Yet to truly compete with Asia's elite, we need sustained investment and strategic vision. As someone who's passionate about basketball's growth in our city, I believe we're heading in the right direction—but the journey has only just begun.
