Fans flock to see homegrown heroes as Anta-backed tournament returns to invigorate China's grassroots scene

The atmosphere at G Park, a shopping center in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, was electric on Saturday.

There, thousands of spectators, basking in the sweltering summer heat, perched on steps near an outdoor basketball court. For hours they sat patiently in the hope of catching a glimpse of their beloved players in action at this year's Shock the Game, a renowned grassroots basketball tournament in China.

Launched by sportswear manufacturer Anta in 2017, the event has earned a reputation as a celebration of passion, dedication and the raw talent to be found in the nation's hoops community.

This year, the tournament has been transformed into a league spanning three phases over the year, with one kilogram of gold the top prize on offer.

Saturday's action was a preliminary stage of the tournament, with 20 participants, mostly street basketball players, divided into five teams to compete in 4x4 games.

"This year's shift to a league format is a game-changer for us grassroots players. Being able to participate in such a league gives us a taste of what it feels like to be professional athletes. The continuous and extensive nature of this tournament also motivates me to train with a clear sense of purpose," said one of the players, Zhang Zhaoyang.

The air buzzed with anticipation as the competitors prepared to showcase their flashy dribbles, jump shots, layups, backboard alley-oops, 3-pointers and dunks.

Zhang Zhaoyang has made a name for himself online, with video clips of his skills earning him millions of followers on social media.

His arrival on the court was greeted by a burst of cheers, with spectators clamoring to take selfies with their hero.

"I enjoy the vibes here. The opportunity to engage closely with the fans fuels our competitive spirit," he said.

Another player, Zhang Xiaosong, concurred. He has participated in many grassroots hoops events through the years, but none match Shock the Game in terms of exposure or scale.

Actor Bai Jingting, the global brand ambassador of Anta, was also in attendance on Saturday to further intensify the spotlight on the event.

"Playing in such a high-profile, high-level tournament can help improve both my skills and mental resilience," said Zhang Xiaosong.

The 25-year-old used to play in the Chinese University Basketball Association for Xi'an Jiaotong University and once dreamed of turning pro in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

An injury thwarted his CBA hopes but, thanks to the encouragement and support of family and friends, he slowly rediscovered his passion for the game. A year and a half ago, his videos began to grab the public's attention online and he's never looked back since.

Based in Xi'an, Zhang Xiaosong reckons the city is a real hotbed of hoops.

"Whenever we play at local universities, the cheers of the crowd invigorate me. The pure passion that young basketball enthusiasts have for the sport deeply touches me," he said, adding that fans' adoration of street ball players is "probably because we are more relatable and within reach".

"I want to participate in more grassroots basketball events, document my journey through short videos, and let more people experience China's vibrant basketball culture," he continued.

For Yalkun Mmat, 27, participating in the tournament is akin to exploring new career possibilities.

Last year, he made his Shock the Game debut and emerged as the champion in the grand finals, also earning the award for most outstanding player.

Growing up in Shanshan, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, he picked up basketball at high school.

While studying at Xinjiang Normal University, he dedicated his after-school hours to training at the university's humble gym which ultimately led to impressive performances in the CUBA.

Since his graduation, he has played with three clubs and is currently assessing his next move.

His stellar performances at last year's Shock the Game have helped to broaden his horizons both on and off the floor — even opening up business opportunities.

"My goal this year is to showcase my skills and achieve outstanding results in Shock the Game, with the hope of uncovering better opportunities for the future," he said.

Fans can catch the next installments of Shock the Game at prominent retail districts in Chengdu, Sichuan province, Zhengzhou, Henan province and Chongqing.

Zhu Chenye, CMO of Anta, said that the company's vision is to establish Shock the Game concept stores in major commercial districts over the next two years. As well as selling Anta products, the stores will feature basketball courts to entice customers.

"We hope to make this tournament a regular fixture in each city, creating a vibrant gathering place for local basketball enthusiasts and providing a platform for aspiring grassroots athletes to showcase their skills."