Three major updates from Guangdong!

On December 2, after China’s back-to-back heavy defeats to South Korea, head coach Guo Shiqiang’s future has become extremely uncertain — or rather, almost predetermined. The biggest question now: who will replace him? Reports indicate that Guangdong head coach Du Feng is a top candidate on the Chinese Basketball Association’s list. However, all signs point to Du Feng likely rejecting the offer. The reasons are straightforward: Guangdong won’t release him, and Du Feng himself doesn’t want to return only to take the blame again.

At the same time, the real story behind Xu Jie’s omission from the national team has surfaced. Veteran basketball commentator Shu Hai revealed that the decision was likely not based on basketball performance, indirectly suggesting off-court factors played a role.

This explanation seems reasonable. Xu Jie’s form speaks for itself. In the National Games, he dominated as both scoring and assist leader, carrying Guangdong to the championship. He’s undeniably one of the best-performing guards in China right now. Would Guo Shiqiang really be foolish enough to choose Wang Lanjin — who was shredded by Xu Jie in the National Games — over Xu Jie? Obviously not. Hence, the speculation that “non-basketball reasons” led to his exclusion has gained credibility.

Xu Jie has faced several off-court controversies in recent years, from relationship rumors to alleged scandals posted by someone claiming to be a former girlfriend. Although these allegations quickly faded and lacked evidence, the damage to his public image was real. For a national team that values stability and clean public perception, this might have been enough to keep him off the roster.

Meanwhile, discussions continue around whether Du Feng will return as the men’s national team coach. As one of the most accomplished coaches in the CBA, he is naturally on the CBA's shortlist. But Du Feng has remained silent, and after commentating the second China–Korea match, many believe he’s even less inclined to accept the job. The current state of the national team means any coach stepping in is likely to take the blame, regardless of performance.

Additionally, Guangdong has made massive investments this season with a clear goal: reclaim the CBA championship. As the leader of the team, Du Feng cannot simply abandon the project at such a crucial moment.

This morning, Guangdong officially departed for Wuhan to participate in the Club Cup. Aside from Hu Mingxuan, who is still with the national team, the roster is fully assembled — including all four foreign players. On December 4, Guangdong will face their first opponent, the familiar Shanxi team. Shanxi reportedly brought back their star import Diallo with a big offer, but Guangdong — now reinforced with Sullinger inside and NBA-level Quinn on the perimeter — is far more prepared than last season. A head-to-head battle is expected, and Guangdong shows no signs of fear.