What’s Next? Spanish U22 League About to Kick Off While Two Liaoning Players Remain Missing After Brawl

The inaugural Spanish U22 Basketball League is set to officially tip off on October 10, but uncertainty still surrounds the future of two Liaoning players—Huang Qiushi and Zhang Junhao—as their new teams remain unannounced.

At first glance, this Spanish league has little connection with Liaoning or even Chinese basketball. However, the link emerged after the infamous brawl between Liaoning and Shandong during the National U21 Basketball League. Several players with CBA experience, including Huang and Zhang, were involved in that incident.

The fallout was severe: both players received three-year suspensions, a punishment many fans felt was excessively harsh. Social media was quick to voice sympathy, arguing that the Chinese Basketball Association’s ruling left little room for redemption.

In response, Liaoning moved swiftly. With the help of Spanish assistant coach Hugo López, contacts were established in Spain to arrange opportunities for Huang and Zhang to play in the U22 league. Head coach Yang Ming even hosted a private dinner for the duo, encouraging them to make the most of this chance, develop their skills abroad, and eventually return to Liaoning once their ban is lifted.

Yet with only about ten days left before the Spanish U22 League begins, there is still no confirmation on which teams will take them in. This uncertainty has sparked questions among fans and insiders alike.

The challenge is real. The Spanish U22 League features some of the top young talents from Spain and beyond, including several national-team-level prospects. For Huang and Zhang—solid but not elite-level players at home—earning meaningful playing time in such a competitive environment is far from guaranteed.

That is why choosing the right fit is crucial. Simply going abroad for the sake of it may not lead to growth; instead, finding a team that matches their abilities and provides real opportunities will determine whether this overseas venture becomes a stepping stone—or just another setback.