Hey, basketball fans! Today, we're going to talk about a true underdog who has become an inspiration for many - Chen Yingjun! His journey has been filled with challenges and opportunities. He comes from Taiwan, with a family background as ordinary as it gets. His mother works primarily in agriculture, occasionally taking on odd jobs to supplement the household income; his father is a forest conservation officer, supporting the family with a meager salary. In such a family environment, becoming a professional basketball player seemed like an unattainable dream for Chen.
However, fate took a turn due to a seemingly casual move. With parents too busy to spare time for him, they bought Chen a basketball to keep him occupied. Little did they know that this small basketball would become the turning point in Chen's life! He fell in love with the sport and would eagerly play with his friends after school, sweating it out on the court. As time went on, Chen's basketball skills improved significantly, earning him a spot on the school team. By junior high, he was leading the team to championships as a key player. Each medal he won felt like a key unlocking his inner dream of becoming a professional player.
To become a pro, more investment was needed. Chen, harboring his dreams, cautiously shared them with his parents. Expecting opposition, he was surprised when they fully supported him, even borrowing money to buy him professional basketball gear. With their support, Chen trained harder, and his skills sharpened. By high school, he had become a well-known local star in Taiwan. Fans cheered for him at every game, making him feel accomplished. But he didn't realize that there were always higher mountains to climb. At the U19 World Youth Championship, Chen faced the first major setback of his career.
In that match, Chen faced off against his contemporary, Guo Ailun. Everyone anticipated an evenly matched contest. However, once the game started, Guo played as if possessed by Kobe Bryant, scoring basket after basket. Chen, under Guo's relentless attack, was completely overwhelmed. On the court, Guo moved freely, with sharp breaks and shots that seemed blessed. Every offensive move left Chen struggling to defend. Despite his best efforts, Guo's power was too much. Chen tried to change the game through his own offense, but his shots were often blocked or intercepted by the defense. His passes were frequently cut off, leading to numerous turnovers.
The game ended with Chen scoring a mere 7 points, while Guo tallied an impressive 24, more than three times Chen's score! This defeat plunged Chen into self-doubt. Filled with confusion and uncertainty, he began to question his chosen path in basketball. For a long time, he couldn't shake off the shadow of defeat. He returned to his hometown in Taiwan, seeking the strength to start anew.
Seeing his parents still working hard in the fields, Chen's heart was touched. He realized he couldn't give up so easily. In his senior year of high school, luck finally smiled upon him. An American coach extended an invitation for him to play basketball in the United States. This was a rare opportunity! But at that time, Chen was just a penniless young man who couldn't even afford a phone, let alone the high cost of studying abroad.
Chen considered giving up the chance, but when his parents found out, they borrowed money everywhere, bearing immense financial pressure to send their son to America. Upon arriving in the US, Chen truly experienced the hardships. Cultural differences, language barriers, and being unknown abroad made him feel the pressure. Initially, he could only sit on the bench, with few opportunities to play in games. This continued until Chen returned to Taiwan and joined the Chinese team in the Jones Cup, where things began to change.
At the Jones Cup, Chen's performance was outstanding. He played with passion and strength, breaking through opponents with agility and scoring with determination. His average score of 20 points per game was impressive, and he scored an incredible 30 points against Canada! This victory brought him recognition in the basketball world.
With this momentum, Chen decided to participate in the CBA draft. With his excellent skills and achievements, he was selected by the Guangzhou team as the first pick in the first round. Compared to Guo Ailun, who had already played seven seasons in the CBA and was a hot player both domestically and internationally, Chen seemed less accomplished. However, he didn't lose heart. He adjusted his mindset and adapted to the rhythm of the CBA. He worked tirelessly to refine his skills and improve his abilities. In training, he gave it his all, treating every shooting practice and physical training session as a real game.
On the court, Chen displayed his fighting spirit. Unafraid of confrontation, he charged forward bravely. Facing strong opponents, he never backed down, always finding ways to break through their defenses. His passing became more precise, delivering the ball to his teammates at the right moment to create excellent scoring opportunities. Gradually, Chen grew from an ordinary player to one of the core players, becoming an indispensable figure for the Guangzhou team.
Later, Chen's outstanding performance earned him a spot in the All-Star lineup, making him a top-salary player in the CBA, completely changing his destiny. Faced with external praise, Chen remained modest. He said, "I hope to work even harder and contribute more to the team; that's where I should focus my attention." After achieving success in basketball, Chen also found love. He proposed to his childhood sweetheart, and they walked into the palace of marriage together.
At the end of 2023, Chen also announced the good news of his wife's pregnancy on social media. Now, he has become a father, embarking on a new stage of life. As a top-salary CBA player and a new dad, these identities fill Chen's heart with a sense of fulfillment. With his efforts and persistence, he successfully achieved a reversal of fortune. Chen's story tells us that as long as you have dreams and work tirelessly for them, you can create your own glory!