The Shenzhen Leopards Basketball Club competed against the New Zealand Men’s National Basketball Team in an international basketball challenge held at the Longhua Culture and Sports Center on August 18. The game ended in favor of the Kiwis 67 to 77.

A player from New Zealand National Men's Basketball Team is in action against a player from Shenzhen Leopards Basketball Club. Liu Xudong

The Shenzhen Leopards finished third in the playoffs of the last CBA season, while the New Zealand national basketball team qualified for the final stage of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. It was also the first international basketball game to be held at the Longhua Culture and Sports Center.

“The New Zealand team is a strong opponent. The game was tough, but we still did our best to win,” said Bai Haotian, a player from the Shenzhen Leopards.

A player from Shenzhen Leopards tries to catch a rebound during the game.

Reuben Te Rangi, a player for the New Zealand team, felt that the game was a good warm-up for the upcoming World Cup matches, which are scheduled to start on August 25 in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

Longhua District has taken a series of measures to promote the development of its basketball and sports industry, including inviting renowned sports figures such as Mengke Bateer, a former player of the Chinese men’s national basketball team, to open his studio; hosting basketball games such as WCBA All Stars, Basketball Culture Week and International Basketball Challenges; and hosting more basketball culture students on campus to cultivate talent.

Substitute players of New Zealand National Men's Basketball Team wait on the sideline of the court.