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Guo Ailun

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Guo Ailun
No. 13 – Liaoning Flying Leopards
PositionPoint guard / Shooting guard
LeagueChinese Basketball Association
Personal information
Born (1993-11-14) November 14, 1993 (age 31)
Liaoyang, Liaoning, China
NationalityChinese
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight187 lb (85 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2015: undrafted
Playing career2010–present
Career history
2010–presentLiaoning Flying Leopards
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  China
FIBA Asia Championship
Gold medal – first place 2015 Changsha

Guo Ailun (Chinese: 郭艾伦; pinyin: Guō Àilún born November 14, 1993) is a Chinese basketball player who plays for Liaoning Flying Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association and for the Chinese national team.

Club career

In July 2009, Guo attended LeBron James' Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio while already part of the Liaoning Hunters organisation, impressing some observers with his ball handling, dynamism and court vision.[1]

His international exploits over the 2010 summer (see below) pushed the league in creating a clause that allowed the then 17-year old to play in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) despite being underage.[2] He made his debut for Liaoning on 12 December 2010 against Qingdao DoubleStar with 10 points and 2 rebounds, finishing the season with averages of 10.3 points and 3.1 assists in 26 minutes per game.[3] By the end of his rookie season, he was selected for the CBA All-star Rookie Challenge, posting 28 points and 6 assists on his way to a game MVP title.[4]

Guo was a late addition to the April 2011 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon.[5] Struggling with communication (he reportedly spoke no English whatsoever) he impressed scouts in practice with his dedication and skill but had a quiet game against Team USA, going 1 from 5 in the field and committing two turnovers.[6]

The 2011–12 CBA season ended with figures of 8.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2 rebounds in around 21 minutes per game for Guo as Liaoning again failed to make the playoffs.[3] For the second year running, he took part in the Rookie Challenge, leading all players with 30 points in addition to 6 assists on his way to a second game MVP award.[7] Also during the CBA All-Star Weekend, he won the Skills challenge after completing it in 32.7 seconds.[8]

He was reportedly offered a contract by Greek giants Panathinaikos over the 2012 summer. Though the player was said to be interested, his club and local sports administrators vetoed the putative move.[9] Liaoning were vindicated in their decision as he then enjoyed a breakthrough 2012-13 season, starting at point with 34 minutes per game on average as the team finished with its best record in several years and qualified for the playoffs. He scored a career-high 35 points in a 7 December regular season game against the Qingdao Eagles and then dished out a career-high 12 assists against Jiangsu Dragons a month later. Finishing the season with averages of 15.8 points, 4.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds, he equalled his earlier mark with 35 points in a losing effort to the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in Game 5 of the playoffs first round as Liaoning exited.[3][10] Besides defending his skills challenge title with a 39 seconds time,[11] Guo was voted as a starter for the 2013 CBA All-star game.

Guo's 2013–14 CBA season was severely hampered by a right arm-injury that restricted him to six games over the season.[12]

He returned to form during the 2014–15 CBA season, forming a destructive backcourt partnership with Lester Hudson,[13] as Liaoning enjoyed one of their best-ever seasons with a second-place finish in the regular season before going on to reach the Playoffs finals against the Beijing Ducks. The point guard had 14 points - including 10 in the fourth quarter - as Liaoning won game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the best of seven series,[14] he later had 15 points in game 6 but could not prevent a loss that handed the title to Beijing.[15] Finishing the season with figures of 13.5 points, 5.6 assists and 2.5 steals in nearly 33 minutes per game,[3] he was among the season MVP candidates,[13] besides again being voted as a starter for the All-star game.[16]

Despite issues with Liaoning over contractual talks,[17] Guo continued on that good form for the 2015–16 CBA season, he had a season-high 32 points as well as 10 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals to lead Liaoning to an avenging 108-96 win over Beijing in January 2016.[18] He had 26 points (on 91.7% shooting from two) in the team's 16th consecutive win during the penultimate round against the Tianjin Gold Lions, thus guaranteeing the franchise a historic regular season first place.[19]

Finishing the season with 15,5 points, 5.9 assists, 3,2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 33 minutes per game,[3] he was second in votes for the season's domestic MVP, behind perennial MVP Yi Jianlian.[20] Again voted as starter for the All-star game, he posted 28 points and 8 assists in the North's blowout 172-145 win.[21]

In game 3 of the playoffs first round against the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, he had 15 points and a game-high 11 assists to help the Flying Leopards to a 127-111 win and a series sweep.[22] Moving on to the semis against the Guangdong Southern Tigers, Guo had 20 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in a 105-96 game 4 win that took Liaoning to the finals where they would face the unheralded Sichuan Blue Whales.[23]

Sichuan series and brawl

After losing game 3 of the series away in Chengdu on 16 March, Guo was heavily involved in a brawl opposing Sichuan fans with members of the Liaoning organisation. The confrontation started when the Blue Whales fans - who were waiting for their team at the hotel they shared with Liaoning - were provoked by someone in the Liaoning camp when the away team arrived before the home team. This sparked a scuffle between the fans and the Liaoning delegation, the players were not involved until the fathers' of Guo and teammate He Tianju were allegedly attacked, prompting Guo and some teammates to join the ruckus.[24]

Guo, adamant that he only got involved to protect his father, was sent back to Liaoning along with He and another teammate to receive medical treatment the next day. They took a morning flight one day later, He was ruled out with an injury but Guo was neither injured nor suspended as had been feared by some. Taking part in game 4 the same day, he had a team-second 18 points and 6 assists but the visibly rattled Flying Leopards lost the game to go 3-1 down in the series.[25]

He then had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals and a single assist in a combative performance during game 5 that proved in vain as Sichuan won 94-91 to keep the series and the championship in Chendgu.[26]

National team

Guo led the national representative side to the 2009 FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship title as they won all their games to qualify for the Under-17 World Championship.[27] In the July 2010 event in Hamburg, Guo led all under-17's with 22.4 points (to go with 5.5 assists and 4.9 rebounds).[28]

Aged only 16, he was a surprise inclusion with the senior Chinese national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, making him the youngest ever player to turn up for China.[4] He played only 23 minutes in two games during the tournament, scoring two free-throws in addition to 2 rebounds and 2 assists against 4 turnovers.[29] In September of the same year, the youngster participated in a third tournament, namely the 2010 FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship, where he made the All-tournament team as China took home the title.[30]

The Junior National Team captain was said to have been the leader of a player revolt to oust coach Fan Bin because of his abusive style in April 2011. Thirteen players (including Guo) signed a letter demanding the Chinese Basketball Association replace Fan, the CBA criticised both the coach - who they suspended - and the players for their public actions.[31] He next appeared at the May 2011 Nike International Junior Tournament with the Under-19's national team, posting 14.3 points and 3.7 assists whilst drawing 5 fouls per game,[32] on his way to an All-Tournament team selection.[33] In the same age group, Guo participated in the World Championship played in Latvia in June/July 2011, contributing team bests of 15 points and 2.8 assists per game over the tournament.[34]

He was cut from the senior side pegged to play in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship,[35] before disciplinary issues (such as tardiness and attitude problems during the U19 World Championship) led to him being handed a one-year suspension from the senior side.[36]

Recalled to the senior side in April 2012,[36] the 18-year old was the youngest basketball player at the 2012 Olympic Games where he was a peripheral figure, taking part in three out of the five Chinese losses for 3.3 points and 1 rebound on average.[27]

Guo - now entrenched into the senior national team fold - entered the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship with high hopes, as did perennial title-favourite China. Both flattered to deceive however, though Guo had respectable figures of 8.1 points and 2.3 assists per game, he disappeared along with teammates in important games. He had only 7 points (on 3-11 shooting) against South Korea, Iran and Chinese Taipei against all of whom China lost to finish fifth, the lowest ever finish for a full strength side at the tournament.[27]

He participated in the 2014 Asian Games with China, scoring only 9 points in the quarterfinal round loss against Japan (an opponent that had never beaten them in Asiad history) as China made an early exit.[37]

Eager to impress in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship played at home, Guo shone, contributing 10.9 points (on 54.8% shooting), 4 assists and 3.2 rebounds per outing in making the tournament's All-Star Five. He earned his first career silverware when China won the title to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.[27] That was helped by his commanding display in the final against the Philippines, outplaying his counterpart and fellow All-Star Jayson Castro to lead his team in scoring 19 points and grabbing 6 rebounds.[38]

Career statistics

CBA

Year Team GP RPG APG FG% FT% PPG
2010–11 Liaoning 32 0.8 3.0 .385 .714 10.0
2011–12 Liaoning 30 2.0 3.2 .473 .681 8.6
2012–13 Liaoning 37 2.7 4.3 .512 .613 16.1
2013–14 Liaoning 6 1.5 0.8 .389 .750 6.8
2014–15 Liaoning 49 2.9 5.1 .498 .675 13.7
Career 154 2.0 3.3 .451 .687 11.0

Personal life

His uncle is former Liaoning Hunters and China player Guo Shiqiang, coincidentally he is also his coach at Liaoning and with the Chinese national team (the latter as an assistant).[39]

Guo is a graduate of Liaoning's Northeastern University.[40]

References

  1. ^ Rankin, Reggie (6 July 2009). "Sullinger shows well on Day 1". ESPN.com. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  2. ^ Ng, Geoff (10 December 2010). "Talking Shanghai Sharks basketball with Jon Pastuszek". CityWeekend.com.cn. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Ailun Guo - Season 2015/2016". FIBA.com. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b Sun, Xiaochen (17 March 2011). "Marbury, Douby lead CBA All-Stars". ChinaDaily.com.cn. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  5. ^ "USA - Guo joins Biyombo as late additions to World Team". FIBA.com. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  6. ^ Beeken, Walker (13 April 2011). "Nike Hoop Summit Scouting Reports: International Guards/Wings". DraftExpress.com. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  7. ^ Zhang, Pengfei (19 February 2012). "Marbury wins CBA All-Star Rookie Challenge in coaching debut". english.CNTV.com. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  8. ^ Yang, Lina (19 February 2012). "Guo shines at CBA All-star technics challenge". XinhuaNet.com. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  9. ^ Bakouli, Niki (3 September 2012). "Guo Ailun stays in China". Eurohoops.net. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  10. ^ Pastuszek, Jon (11 March 2013). "China's national basketball team needs a point guard to succeed". ONEWorldSports.com. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Yi Jianlian claims MVP to lead North win CBA All-Star game". ChinaDaily.com.cn. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  12. ^ Lu, Wenao (9 December 2014). "Flying Leopards shrug off injury to dominate this season". GlobalTimes.cn. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  13. ^ a b Crawford, Andrew (11 February 2015). "CBA: breaking down the best Chinese players". ONEWorldSports.com. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  14. ^ Hai, Peng (16 March 2015). "Hudson's triple double carries Liaoning over Beijing 2-1 in CBA Finals". english.CRI.cn. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  15. ^ Zhang (22 March 2015). "Beijing beat Liaoning to defend CBA title". english.CRI.cn. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  16. ^ "Beasley sets new record of 59 points to help the North win over the South in the CBA All-star game, and selected as MVP". CBAChina.sports.Sohu.com. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  17. ^ Fu, Yu (13 October 2015). "Guo Ailun Turns Down Offer for Contract Extension". english.CRI.cn. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  18. ^ "CBA Roundup: Sichuan beat Tianjin despite Crawford's 72 points". China.org.cn. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  19. ^ Andal, Cristian (4 February 2016). "Chinese Basketball Association: Liaoning routs Tianjin, 150-122, captures CBA regular season crown". en.Yibada.com. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  20. ^ "Former NBA player Beasley wins MVP Award in CBA". China.org.cn. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  21. ^ "MVP Beasley scores record 63 points to lead North to win CBA All-Star game". China.org.cn. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  22. ^ Andal, Cristian (20 February 2016). "Chinese Basketball Association: Liaoning Flying Leopards beat Zhejiang Golden Bulls, 127-111, advance to CBA playoffs semis". en.Yibada.com. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  23. ^ Andal, Cristian (7 March 2016). "Chinese Basketball Association: Liaoning beats Guangdong in Game 4, 105-96, advances to CBA finals against Sichuan". en.Yibada.com. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  24. ^ Lu, Wen'ao (18 March 2016). "CBA final pushing through". GlobalTimes.cn. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  25. ^ "Liaoning loses in CBA Game 4 after brawls with fans". China.org.cn. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  26. ^ Zhang, Rui (21 March 2016). "Sichuan beats Liaoning, grabs CBA title". english.CNTV.com. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  27. ^ a b c d Flojo, Enzo (14 October 2015). "Guo Ailun represents a bright future for Asia". FIBA.com. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  28. ^ "Past U17 Stars". FIBA.com. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  29. ^ "2010 FIBA World Championship: China #12 - Ailun Guo". archive.FIBA.com. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  30. ^ "U-18 cager Ravena named to Fiba Asia Mythical Five". sports.Inquirer.net. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  31. ^ Pan, Zheng (12 April 2011). "Crisis in national youth team as coach suspended". ShanghaiDaily.com. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  32. ^ "Ailun, Guo - 2010-11 NIJT statistics". Euroleague.net. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  33. ^ "2011 Barcelona NIJT Tournament". Euroleague.net. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  34. ^ "2011 FIBA U19 World Championship: China #6 - Ailun Guo". archive.FIBA.com. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  35. ^ Navarro, June (28 July 2011). "Yao Ming still with China cage pool; Yi, Wang returning". sports.Inquirer.net. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  36. ^ a b Sun, Xiaochen (18 May 2012). "China has two to grow on". ChinaDaily.com.cn. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  37. ^ "China's basketball guys suffer first loss to Japan in Asiad history". english.Sina.com. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  38. ^ Castillo, Musong R. (3 October 2015). "China Olympics-bound after outmuscling Gilas for Fiba Asia title". sports.Inquirer.net. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  39. ^ Zhang, Ning (25 July 2010). "Yao foundation charity match starts". english.CNTV.com. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  40. ^ Zhang, Zhan (30 March 2015). "Northeastern University Men's Basketball Team Was Highly Appreciated". neunews.NEU.edu.cn. Retrieved 11 August 2016.

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