Honor and Heritage: 2025 Chinese Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees Celebrated in Sangzhi

In the quiet landscapes of Sangzhi County, Hunan Province, the echoes of basketball’s past and the aspirations of its future converged this past weekend. On April 12, the 2025 Chinese Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place in the hometown of Marshal He Long, a figure revered as the founder of sports in Modern China. The event was more than a formal gallery of achievements; it was a poignant bridge connecting the pioneers of the game with the modern era.

The ceremony arrived at a symbolic moment, coinciding with the 130th anniversary of Marshal He Long’s birth and the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March. By choosing Sangzhi as the venue, organizers sought to intertwine the “red soil” of revolutionary history with the glory of the hardwood, emphasizing a legacy of perseverance and national pride.

The Class of 2025: A Diverse Legacy

This year’s induction cycle recognized nine individuals and one collective, spanning various roles that sustain the sport. The selection process—which involved nominations, recommendations, and a final review—highlighted the comprehensive nature of the game, from those who call the fouls to those who paved the way for the professional era.

The inductees were categorized as follows:

• Outstanding Male Athletes: Zhang Xishan and Sun Jun.
• Outstanding Female Athletes: Zhou Yixian and Li Shaofen.
• Outstanding Coach: Wang Fei.
• Outstanding Referee: Luo Jingrong.
• Pioneers of Chinese Basketball: Wang Yaodong, Lu Lihua, and Fan Zhengtao.
• Outstanding Collective: The 1996 Olympic Chinese Men’s Basketball Team.

For global readers, the inclusion of the 1996 Olympic team serves as a reminder of a pivotal era in the development of the Chinese national program, marking a period of significant growth and international competitiveness.

Tears and Tributes: The Human Side of the Game

Although the statistics of the inductees are impressive, the ceremony was defined by its emotional weight. One of the most moving moments involved Li Shaofen, one of the first national team players for the women’s squad. Unable to be physically present with her old teammate Yang Jie, Li connected via a video link. The two women, who had once fought side-by-side on the court, shared a deep, screen-mediated embrace, reminiscing about the days of shared training and competition.

The atmosphere turned somber yet celebratory when the Hall of Fame honored the late Zhou Yixian. The 91-year-old women’s basketball legend passed away in February of last year. Her induction badge was accepted by her former student, Song Xiaobo. In a moment that drew tears from the crowd, Song held the badge aloft toward a screen displaying an image of her mentor, declaring, “Coach Zhou, you have been inducted into the Chinese Basketball Hall of Fame. Your deep dedication to the Chinese women’s team will be forever remembered.”

Together with Li Shaofen and Yang Jie, Zhou Yixian is remembered as a cornerstone of the “59 Peak,” a golden era for the Chinese women’s national team that set the standard for future generations.

Pioneers and the “Wild Youth”

The Hall of Fame has established a specific sequence for “Pioneers,” a category designed to honor those who operated in the early, often difficult days of the sport’s introduction and formalization in China. The induction of Wang Yaodong, Lu Lihua, and Fan Zhengtao served as a tribute to the “trailblazers” who cleared the path for the professional structures seen today.

Contrastingly, the ceremony as well featured the vibrant personality of Sun Jun. The outstanding male athlete brought a touch of Northeast Chinese humor to the podium, delivering a ten-minute speech that culminated in the phrase, “my heart is still a wild youth,” capturing the enduring passion that drives athletes long after they exit the active roster.

Beyond the Ceremony: Community and Growth

The event in Sangzhi was not limited to a formal gala. In the days leading up to the induction, the Hall of Fame organized a series of community-focused initiatives to bring the game closer to the grassroots level. A “Civilian Star Carnival” and various public training sessions saw legends such as Bateer, Wang Zhizhi, Kuang Lubin, Liu Qing, and Li Xin visiting local youth to provide professional coaching.

Gong Luming and Wang Fei led teams in interactive competitions with local players in Sangzhi. These activities were designed to set the Hall of Fame’s philosophy of “legendary inheritance” into practice, ensuring that the prestige of the inductees translated into tangible inspiration for the next generation of players in rural areas.

The Bigger Picture: A Growing Institution

Since its inception in 2022, the Chinese Basketball Hall of Fame has grown into a significant historical monument for the sport. Having now held four induction ceremonies, the institution has welcomed a total of 51 individuals and four collectives.

The Hall of Fame is positioned not just as a record of past achievements, but as a catalyst for the “Three Massive Ball” (basketball, football, and volleyball) revitalization strategy. By building a “spiritual home” for basketball players, the organization aims to inject momentum into the high-quality development of the sport and contribute to the broader goal of strengthening the nation’s athletic standing.

As the ceremony concluded in the foothills of Zhangjiajie, the message was clear: while the players change and the eras shift, the spirit of the game—characterized by the grit of the pioneers and the excellence of the champions—remains constant. The 2025 class now takes its place in the annals of history, ensuring that the stories of those who built Chinese basketball are never forgotten.

The Chinese Basketball Hall of Fame will continue to serve as the primary record of the sport’s evolution in the region. Stay tuned for further updates on the Hall’s cultural initiatives and future induction cycles.

Do you remember the 1996 Olympic team or the era of the “59 Peak”? Share your favorite memories of these legends in the comments below.