On June 20, the Shandong High Speed Men's Basketball Team officially announced that the team's vice captain Li Jingyu officially retired and became the assistant coach of the team's coaching staff. The 31-year-old "Xiao Li Feidao" has since become the assistant coach of the Shandong Men's Basketball Team.
Many fans felt a bit sudden about this. Tao Hanlin, captain of the Shandong Men's Basketball Team, also lamented on Weibo: My vice-captain suddenly became my leader in the afternoon. My teammates who have been working together for more than ten years and my future coach, Director Li, please take good care of me. He announced his retirement at the age of 31. What does Li Jingyu think about this? What are your plans after taking up the coaching position? On the morning of June 21, New Yellow River reporter conducted an exclusive interview with Li Jingyu.
New Yellow River : First of all, congratulations to Jingyu for becoming the assistant coach of the Shandong Men's Basketball Team. How could he think of making a transformation in his prime?
Li Jingyu: Yesterday morning, I was doing strength training with everyone on the team. In the afternoon, the team officially announced that I would become the team's assistant coach, and I also officially bid farewell to my playing career. In fact, when the club leaders talked to me before, I was a little hesitant about retiring and becoming a coach. I was still a little reluctant to give up on my playing career and didn't want to retire so early. Club leaders told me that in recent years, the Shandong Men’s Basketball Team has not only experienced a shortage of players, but also experienced a shortage of local coaches. The team must train its own young coaches and gradually establish a scientific and complete coaching echelon. After a period of consideration, I finally made up my mind. I played in the youth team for three years and in CBA for 14 years. Years of fighting left me with an old problem of knee injuries, and these injuries have increasingly affected my condition over the years. If I continue to play, I can at most maintain my current state, and it will be difficult for me to make breakthroughs and make more contributions to the team. So I finally decided to accept the club's suggestion and retire as a coach. I am willing to work in the new team. Accept challenges on the job. I think it is also a kind of satisfaction that I grew up in the Shandong Men's Basketball Team and could eventually retire as a coach in the Shandong Men's Basketball Team.
New Yellow River : After playing basketball for so many years, looking back on your career, what do you think are worth remembering?
Li Jingyu : I am a native of Jinan and a player trained by the Shandong Men’s Basketball Team. I am honored to have represented the Shandong team in the CBA Finals and also won the runner-up and third place in the National Games for the Shandong team. . In addition, I have been selected for the national training team many times and participated in the CBA All-Star Game.
新黄河: Looking back on your career, what do you think is your biggest regret?
Li Jingyu: The biggest regret of is of course not being able to win the championship for the Shandong Men’s Basketball Team. Whether it is the CBA or the National Games, my best result is the runner-up. As I retire now, it seems that this regret can only be left to me as a coach to make up for it. As a player, I failed to win a national championship for the Shandong Men's Basketball Team. I hope I can cultivate championship players for the Shandong Men's Basketball Team as soon as possible. At the same time, I also hope that the Shandong Men's Basketball Team can remain stable and not change sponsors and clubs frequently. This is also a guarantee for the team to achieve good results.
New Yellow River: After becoming the assistant coach, you have to work with the head coach Wang Han and assistant coach Ding Wei. What impression do you have of them?
Li Jingyu: I have never cooperated with these two coaches before, but we have become familiar with each other over the years. Especially since the CBA has implemented a tournament system in recent years, we often meet and communicate in venues and hotels. Directors Wang and Ding are both senior coaches with rich coaching experience and are very dedicated. The two coaches are very serious about their work, are very humorous in private, and quickly get along with the players.
New Yellow River : After becoming the assistant coach, what are your next plans? What plans do you have for yourself?
Li Jingyu: I must first study hard with the two coaches, and secondly, serve the team well.I also hope to pass on my own playing skills and experience over the years to young players. I hope that I can enter the role of coach as soon as possible and make my own contribution to the development of the Shandong Men’s Basketball Team. I also hope that I will live up to the expectations of the fans and the club. Fans and friends can continue to support me and our Shandong Men’s Basketball Team.
New Yellow River reporter: Li Fujie
Editor: Liu Dan
