It's all about the team for coach Wang

Wang Ziqi, assistant coach of the Tsinghua University High School boy's basketball team, stood on the sidelines of the NBA Rising Star Invitational in Singapore, barking instructions to his players.

More than a decade ago, he was the one on the court — first as the team's star player, then as its captain.

The journey from player to coach began in the very same high school, where the thriving campus basketball culture shaped his understanding of the game — and planted the seed for his future mission: to develop China's next generation of basketball talent.

Born in Fengfeng county, Hebei province, he started to play basketball because he was fascinated by the sport's teamwork.

"With just one ball, five players — or 10 — all connect together. It's never lonely, always fun and truly special," he said.

During his first year of high school, Wang suffered a fractured ankle. While recovering, over a period of six months, he spent countless hours studying game footage.

"That period allowed me to reflect and mature. By my second year, my playing style completely changed — from reckless charges and frequent turnovers, to becoming a true point guard who could orchestrate the entire team," he recalled.

In 2011, he enrolled at Peking University, where he continued to play, enlisted as a point guard into the university team.

"Actually, the point guard role is ideal for coaching, because it requires empathy and thinking for others," he explained.

He constantly adjusted strategies based on opponents' weaknesses. For instance, if the rival team had a strong interior defense, Wang would push for quick inbound passes and fast transitions to dictate tempo. If its frontline was weak, he'd slow the game down and minimize fast breaks.

Soon, he became the heart and soul of Peking University's men's basketball team, leading it to a first-ever national championship in the 16th Chinese University Basketball Association League in 2014. That same year, it also clinched the fifth Asian University Sports Federation Men's Basketball Championship in Taipei.

During this period, he was deeply influenced by the coaching philosophy of Zhang Jian, the team's head coach at the time.

"Zhang was great at giving young players opportunities — he frequently put me into games, even as a freshman. He also fostered a cohesive team atmosphere, teaching us not just tactics, but also how to be better people," Wang recalled.

Now, returning to the high school as a coach, Wang hopes his players can refine their individual skills, while learning to unite as a team.

In the semifinals in Singapore, his squad faced a physically imposing and aggressive opponent in shape of Australia's Berwick College. Though they ultimately won, Wang noted his players committed many turnovers.

"These are the mistakes young players tend to make. If they want to compete at a higher level, they must learn to control their impulses," he said. "We came to this tournament precisely to face opponents like this. Win or lose, it's about exposing them to international-level competition."