Chinese center Wang Zhelin drives the ball in China's world cup warm-up game against Brazil in Wuhan on Aug. 25, 2019. Brazil edges China 73-70 in the game. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Former NBA player Zhou Qi will lead an 18-member roster of the Chinese men's basketball team as they begin a training camp next week for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Zhou, who previously played for the Houston Rockets in 2017 and 2018, will be joined by Zhao Jiwei, Zhang Zhenlin, and Fu Hao from the CBA champions Liaoning Flying Leopards, as well as Yu Jiahao and Cheng Shuaipeng from the CBA runners-up Zhejiang Golden Bulls.

However, Guo Ailun from Liaoning and Wu Qian from Zhejiang, who have been regulars on the national team in recent years, were not called up for the June 23-July 6 training camp in Qingdao.

China's Serbian head coach, Aleksandar Djordjevic, commented on the roster after it was announced by the Chinese Basketball Association on Tuesday. "Everyone needs to work hard to earn a place in the national team's training camp. I want my players to understand that only President Yao Ming and I are guaranteed a spot in the World Cup, so every player must put in a lot of effort to secure their ticket," he said.

The 2023 FIBA men's World Cup will be held in Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines from August 25 to September 10. China's preliminary group B matches will be played in Manila against Serbia, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan.

"We may not have a high position in the FIBA ranking, but we will give our best to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. Therefore, everyone needs to be fully prepared from the first day of the training camp," added Djordjevic, who took charge of the Chinese team last November.

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