Zhang Zhenlin is out! Goodbye, Zhang Zhenlin! Another key player of the Chinese men's basketball team has fallen.

Zhang Zhenlin has withdrawn from the current training camp of the Chinese men's basketball team due to a recurrence of an old injury. ...Before the battle has even begun, they have already lost another important player.

In the 24-25 season, Zhang Zhenlin frequently suffered from injuries, playing only 16 regular-season games, averaging 31.4 minutes on the court, contributing 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.4 steals, with shooting percentages of 41.6%, 32.7%, and 90%; in the playoffs, he averaged 25 minutes, scoring 7.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, with shooting percentages of 32.7%, 16.7%, and 68.8%.

There were reports that Zhang Zhenlin would undergo surgery this summer to completely address his hip and back injuries, but he quickly denied this online.

Since he is not participating in the National Games and has no national team duties, and with the 25-26 season starting on December 12, if necessary, Zhang Zhenlin can indeed have surgery, allowing enough time for recovery and rehabilitation, aiming for a full comeback to peak form, especially since he is only 26 and has the potential for greater achievements in the future.

If I remember correctly, the last time Zhang Zhenlin donned the national team jersey on the FIBA stage was during the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games (averaging 11.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks), which has been a two-year absence from the Chinese men's basketball team. When healthy, he is a crucial component and even a core player in the forward position, possessing top-tier athletic talent in the Asian basketball scene.

With Zhang Zhenlin's withdrawal and Fanbo Zeng heading to Germany for treatment on his back injury, the Chinese men's basketball team currently has only Zhu Junlong and Raymond as legitimate players for the small forward position. Perhaps Guo Shiqiang should consider calling up Fujian team's star Zou Yang, who averaged 15.6 points, 8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.9 steals in the regular season last year, and was selected for the All-Star game and the second team of the best local lineup.

This year's Men's Basketball Asian Cup will take place from August 5 to 17, with the Chinese men's basketball team placed in Group C, alongside Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia (the host). Advancing should not be a problem, but to compete for the gold medal, the forward position must have sufficient depth.

What do the fans think about this? Get ready to type in the comments section and speak boldly!