On the basketball court, both 5-on-5 and 3×3 games have their unique appeal, attracting different fans and players alike. While traditional 5-on-5 basketball focuses on teamwork and tactical execution, 3×3 basketball offers a fresh competitive experience with its fast-paced nature and the ease of playing in any available space.
In the highly unpredictable world of 3×3 basketball, Cheng Chih-Lung, Vice Chairman of Wanbao Marketing and known as the “Doctor of Basketball,” sees tremendous potential in the 3×3 basketball industry. He has been actively planning the U23 Basketball League, leading teams to participate in major international tournaments, and delving into the 3×3 basketball sector. His goal is to give Taiwan the opportunity to shine on the global stage and secure its place in the international sports arena.
In an interview with《The Icons》, Cheng reflected on his lifelong passion for basketball: “From the moment I first picked up a basketball in middle school, it has been with me throughout my life. For me, basketball is an indispensable part of my daily life, and I’ve always treated it as my most beloved career.” With Taiwan’s economic rise and increased funding from the military, government, and private sectors, the training conditions and treatment of basketball players have significantly improved. Following the footsteps of Taiwan’s national team, Cheng travelled across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. These experiences broadened his horizons and further strengthened his belief that basketball is his lifelong passion:
“Basketball is not just a sport, it’s an industry with immense potential. Beyond keeping fit and having fun, basketball, much like the cycling industry, has established a vast industrial chain, involving many specialised fields such as protective gear and medical services. It supports countless people in related professions.” This realisation led Cheng to ponder the potential commercial value that could be found within the basketball industry.
“Great leaders succeed not because of their own brilliance, but because they inspire others to unlock their potential. As a leader in 3×3 basketball, my responsibility is not to have everyone follow my plans, but to help them achieve their own goals, then unite these efforts to move the team forward together.” Cheng’s philosophy of harnessing collective strength is not only driving the progress of Taiwanese basketball but is also painting a hopeful future for 3×3 basketball.
A Basketball Dream Beyond Borders: Writing a Career with Steadfast Determination
Cheng Chih-Lung was born in 1969, during a time of great upheaval and change within Taiwan’s sports industry. Growing up amidst this period of transformation, he witnessed the immense power of sports and its potential for development. Reflecting on his early experiences, Cheng passionately recalls, “I’ve always dedicated myself to basketball because I believed that this path could become a way of life.” Cheng started playing basketball during middle school and admits that during training, he realised he was resilient and more passionate about basketball than academics, which led him to pursue the sport further. The hardships of basketball training didn’t deter him; instead, they fuelled his determination. He channelled his passion into strength, fully committing to basketball and gradually discovering his niche.
As Cheng matured, Taiwan’s sports scene began to gain support from governmental and military bodies. By the time he entered high school and university, private enterprises had also started investing, improving athletes’ conditions and training environments. “After going through constant challenges and hard work, I found that basketball was my true passion, and I realised this was the lifestyle I wanted, something I’d dedicate myself to for life.”
“I was fortunate to be selected for the national team and participated in numerous key events, both at home and abroad. These experiences truly made me understand the saying, ‘Travelling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books,'” Cheng reminisced about his time with the national team.
“These international competitions not only improved my technical skills but also gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in various cultures, sample local cuisine, and explore cities I would never have seen if I had stayed in Taiwan. This sport taught me to view basketball from a broader perspective.”
For Cheng, basketball is more than just a sport; it’s a cultural exchange. “Basketball is a form of cross-cultural communication that connects people from different backgrounds. As a bridge between nations, it fosters cultural interaction and has the potential to become a global language.”
What may seem like a simple industry is, in fact, composed of many intricate layers. “I believe basketball is not just an activity or a culture, but an industry. Every aspect requires a significant amount of expertise and human resources,” Cheng explained. The basketball industry extends beyond the game itself, encompassing peripheral sectors such as protective gear, specialised clothing, and health services. These elements form a stable economic foundation, supporting countless families. “The success of this industry made me wonder whether basketball could, like other sports industries, offer further avenues for growth.”
Drawing Inspiration from Global Experience, Unleashing the Limitless Potential of Taiwan’s 3×3 Basketball
Before the outbreak of the pandemic, Cheng Chih-Lung had spent many years developing his basketball career in China, accumulating a wealth of experience and building strong connections. However, when the pandemic struck, he was forced to return to Taiwan. This change prompted him to reconsider how to establish his basketball business in his homeland, turning his experiences in China into new opportunities.
“After returning to Taiwan, I initially started by focusing on 5-on-5 basketball. Later, when I moved to Kaohsiung, I met Michael Wu, Chairman of Wanbao Marketing, who had once managed the Kaohsiung Steelers basketball team. We discussed how the 5-on-5 basketball market had become quite mature, with significant capital investment involved. However, as the basketball market evolved, in 2018, China began promoting 3×3 basketball, backed by Japan and the Asian Basketball Federation, and started expanding the market to regional sectors.”
After analysing market data and holding discussions with Chairman Wu, Cheng realised that 3×3 basketball had immense potential as a future sport, further solidifying his belief in the path ahead. Drawing on his experience, Cheng began nurturing young basketball players across Taiwan, giving them opportunities to compete in international tournaments. “Participating in international competitions not only enhances players’ skills but also deepens their interest and passion for the sport. When these young athletes get the chance to perform on a bigger stage, their horizons broaden, and their understanding of basketball deepens.”
In terms of team management and training, Cheng ensures that training is carried out efficiently and that the team remains competitive in matches. Each year, the team selects around 10 to 20 new players from universities, seeking individuals with an interest and potential in 3×3 basketball for specialised training. “The talent pool ultimately comes from universities. That’s why we choose universities as the starting point. University basketball is not only the place where many young players first learn the game but also serves as a springboard for them to advance to higher-level competitions.”
Thanks to Cheng’s efforts, the basketball community has begun recognising the international development benefits of participating in 3×3 basketball, and its crucial role within the broader basketball ecosystem. He has also turned his attention to professional 5-on-5 players in Taiwan: “We invited two local players from other teams to participate in 3×3 basketball tournaments. After playing in two games, they genuinely became interested in the sport. For them, it was a brand-new experience. In 5-on-5, there may only be a handful of international matches in a year, but the very nature of 3×3 basketball is constant competition with international teams.” He explained that while 5-on-5 basketball undoubtedly garners media attention and prestige, providing players with a sense of security and comfort, they found a refreshing sense of novelty in 3×3 basketball that 5-on-5 couldn’t offer.
Through the U23 League, Taiwan’s 3×3 Basketball is Gaining Global Recognition
Looking forward to the international development of Taiwanese basketball, Cheng Chih-Lung has proposed the idea of establishing the U23 League, an important strategic move for the future. The U23 League is a competitive platform designed for players under the age of 23, not only to enhance their skills but also to discover and nurture potential athletic talent. Through intense, real-world experiences, the league helps players adapt to the pace and demands of professional play, laying a solid foundation for their future careers while also supplying fresh talent for the national and professional teams. Cheng emphasised that the establishment of this league is not just about increasing the number of teams but, more importantly, providing young players with a platform to participate in international competitions. He hopes to officially launch the programme next year and increase basketball participation through the U23 League.
However, the process of engaging with businesses and the government has not been without its challenges. “Within the current system, the government and businesses don’t understand 3×3 basketball; they only have the concept of 5-on-5. This has often been a bottleneck when organising the U23 League,” Cheng explained. Discussions with these groups have typically framed 3×3 within the context of 5-on-5 basketball, which has created significant challenges and resistance in promoting the 3×3 format. But Cheng believes that 3×3 is more like the touring model of tennis or golf, a global league concept rather than a traditional, location-based sport: “Although both 3×3 and 5-on-5 are basketball, they differ significantly in terms of rules, ball size, and court dimensions.”
Cheng is currently in deep discussions with various relevant organisations to prepare for the launch of the U23 League next year. “The primary target for the U23 League is university students, with some graduate students possibly participating as well. We’ve already received initial support from several universities, and these schools are willing to send their best players to compete in the league, which has brought us one step closer to making the U23 League a reality.”
Through cooperation with businesses and the government, recruitment of new talent, and active planning, Cheng hopes to introduce more people to the unique charm of 3×3 basketball. “This is a point-based competition, much like badminton, tennis, or golf. As long as the points are high enough, you can enter international competitions. The threshold for participating in FIBA (International Basketball Federation) competitions has been lowered compared to the past. The national team’s ranking system now depends on the scores of 25 players, but this may be reduced to 20 in the future, which is great news for Taiwan’s international aspirations.”
Building and maintaining a team is full of challenges, but Cheng is confident that he is on the right path. He explained that the ultimate goal of participating in FIBA competitions is to eventually qualify for the Olympic 3×3 basketball tournament. With the establishment of the U23 League, the team will accumulate experience and points through FIBA tournaments, striving for Olympic qualification, which not only showcases the team’s strength but also builds a solid foundation for realising the Olympic dream.
Respecting Team Consensus, Leading Taiwan’s Basketball World into a New Era
“After coming up with the idea of establishing the U23 League, I became even more convinced of the saying ‘Travelling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books,'” said Cheng Chih-Lung. Players who have competed internationally and travelled to different countries have experienced the excitement of facing foreign teams and gained unique inspiration from diverse cultures. Cheng hopes that through the U23 League, his teams can secure international support from governments and corporations, helping to cultivate more internationally competitive young talent in Taiwan.
As a leader in the 3×3 basketball industry, Cheng is keenly aware that the real key lies in respecting and supporting the ideas of the team: “As the leader, the key is not to have everyone carry out my ideas, but rather to help everyone realise what they want to achieve. My role is to integrate those ideas and lead the team forward.” He believes that only when each individual can excel in their passion can the team come together, working towards a shared goal.
“In these young players, I see a reflection of my own relentless efforts on the international stage back in the day. The U23 League has made me more certain that what we are doing now is the right path!” As he works to promote Taiwanese basketball on the global stage, Cheng’s vision goes far beyond winning titles in international competitions. For him, it’s not just a contest, but a vital opportunity to showcase Taiwan’s innovation and vitality. He firmly believes that this emerging platform of 3×3 basketball can inject new energy into Taiwanese basketball while also demonstrating Taiwan’s potential and competitiveness in sports development to the world.
Teamwork is the fuel that drives people towards a common vision, allowing ordinary individuals to achieve extraordinary results. Cheng’s vision is not just about advancing Taiwanese basketball but is a broader push for the entire development of sports in Taiwan:
“Through 3×3 basketball, I hope to show Taiwan’s young players that they can shine on the international stage, earning respect and recognition for Taiwan. This is not only my goal but also a new standard for Taiwanese basketball, one that will showcase our strength to the world!”
Recommend for you:
