Wang eyes higher level after breakout CBA season

China's rising basketball star Wang Haoran said he is aware of the gap between himself and the world's best players but is confident he will continue to improve.

The 21-year-old forward averaged 16.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 32 minutes per game for the Shenzhen Aviators during the 2025-26 Chinese Basketball Association regular season and earned CBA All-Star honors.

"It feels like I'm getting better with increased playing time," Wang told Xinhua.

After four seasons in China's top league, Wang said he made significant strides in perimeter shooting and reading the game over the past season.

Wang represented China at the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup and has since been included in several senior national team training camps.

"Playing for the national team is more challenging. The standards are higher, especially defensively. In the CBA, we often pass the ball to foreign players in key moments, but in the national team, we have to handle it ourselves," he said.

Capable of playing shooting guard, small forward and power forward, Wang said he is focused on improving his defense, offense and overall experience.

"Defensively, I need to guard quick guards and shooters more effectively. Offensively, I want to be more aggressive and improve my ball-handling and finishing," he said.

During national team camps, Wang said he has learned from veteran teammates Hu Jinqiu and Zhao Jiwei, particularly in professionalism, fundamentals and reading the game.

"What they have can't be gained just through experience. I'd better learn it as early as possible," Wang said.

Wang scored 20 points, with six rebounds and three assists, in China's game against eventual champion the United States at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, attracting the attention of NBA scouts. Earlier this year, scouts contacted him about his interest in playing overseas, although he was not selected in the NBA draft.

"Nothing is impossible," Wang said. "I saw Yang Hansen and Cui Yongxi make their runs. That's definitely an inspiration for me. I'll try my best if I get the chance."

Asked about playing abroad, Wang said his priority would be finding opportunities for regular playing time.

"Whether at home or abroad, I have to focus on improving myself," he said.

Wang is currently preparing for the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers.

"My immediate goal is to play at my best to help the team. After returning to my club, I want to keep improving and push the team to a higher level," he said.