Yi Jianlian of China practises in a training session of basketball in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 4, 2016. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
The Chinese men's basketball team would rather take their Rio Olympic opener against Olympic and world champions USA as a learning experience than pressure.
"We regard it as a learning process when we face USA," said China coach Gong Luming after Thursday's practice session.
"Now USA has 12 players in Rio. Even they find 12 more, 12 more and 12 more, they still have much for us to learn," he added.
China is placed in Group A, the "Death Group", along with USA, 2015 FIBA Oceania champion Australia, 2015 FIBA Americas champion Venezuela, France and Serbia, two teams through Olympic qualifiers.
"We should cherish this opportunity and keep our cool mind," commented Yi Jianlian, a former NBA player who is on his fourth Olympic journey.
Zhou Qi, who was selected by the Houston Rockets in 2016 NBA Draft, talked about the huge gap between the two sides, while emphasizing that it's just a group match.
"Many of my teammates will embrace their respective Olympic debut, and need to focus on the game in such a tough group," said Yi.
China will face USA on Saturday. Four years ago, the Chinese team had a 0-5 record in the group phase of the London Olympic Games.
