On May 11, 2026, the Shandong Hi-Speed Men’s Basketball Team officially concluded the 2025-2026 season, entering a period of rest and recovery. The team is expected to reassemble in early June to begin preparations for the new season. This season marked the team’s return to the CBA quarterfinals for the first time in five years. Although they were swept by the Shanghai Sharks in the quarterfinal stage, their overall performance showed noticeable improvement over previous campaigns. With the season over, all four foreign players have departed for the United States, and the club has initiated a comprehensive review. The core lineup for next season will be built around domestic stars Tao Hanlin, Gao Shiyan, and Chen Linjian, signaling a shift toward local talent development and targeted roster enhancements.
After the final game, the team held a brief regrouping session and summary meeting in Jinan before officially disbanding, with players returning to their hometowns for rest. Regarding the foreign players, the team utilized four imports this season—Marquis Chris, Kianney Johnson, Kiley Jones, and Devon Pursell—all of whom have gone back to the U.S. and are unlikely to be re-signed. Looking back at the season, the inconsistency and lack of stability among the foreign players were key factors in the team’s early exit. Chris, as an interior anchor, had occasional highlights during the regular season but struggled with emotional volatility and injuries, with his form declining drastically in the playoffs, making him unable to shoulder the interior duties effectively.
Johnson showed a positive attitude but his shooting was weak, with a playoff three-point percentage of only 21.4%, failing to deliver in critical moments. Jones had limited ability, averaging just 4 points and 2.2 rebounds in the postseason. Pursell was even more disappointing, scoring zero points in three of his five playoff games, drawing criticism for his professionalism. Overall, the four imports failed to form an effective combination, often showing poor tactical fit and low efficiency in both offense and defense. Restructuring the foreign player system has become the club’s top priority during the offseason.
In stark contrast to the underwhelming foreign players, the domestic core stepped up, especially during the playoffs. The trio of Tao Hanlin, Gao Shiyan, and Chen Linjian, known as the “Local Trio,” anchored the team with strong performances, cementing their roles as the foundation for next season.
Veteran center Tao Hanlin, aged 35, continued to hold the fort. He delivered steady contributions during the regular season and averaged 10.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in the playoffs, forming a solid interior barrier. Having spent 17 seasons with Shandong, he has become the team’s spiritual icon, embodying loyalty and dedication. In a crucial playoff game against Liaoning, he dominated inside to help the team advance. After the season-ending loss, he shed tears on the court, saying “hope to come back next year,” deeply moving fans. Although he has hinted at retirement, no current domestic player can replace his interior presence. The club has expressed strong intentions to retain him with a veteran contract.
Guard Gao Shiyan, 30, continues to evolve and was named to the CBA Domestic Second Team. He became the first active player to record eight triple-doubles in his career. As the team’s offensive and defensive hub, he averaged 18.6 points and 8.3 assists, controlling the game’s tempo with his exceptional court vision and defensive pressure. Despite playing through injuries, he averaged 12 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in the playoffs, inspiring the team with his tenacity. Gao is still under a maximum contract and is considered untouchable by the club, which plans to build the backcourt around him to enhance organization and transition efficiency.
Forward Chen Linjian found a perfect fit after joining Shandong this season, addressing the team’s perimeter shooting shortcomings. A two-time CBA Three-Point Contest champion, he maintains a career three-point percentage above 40%. In the playoffs, he led the team in scoring among domestic players, hitting 13 three-pointers and scoring 64 points in five games, often making clutch long-range shots. Despite playing with metal plates and screws in his leg, he remained efficient, opening up space for Tao and Gao with his accurate shooting. Chen is still under contract and will continue as the primary forward, shouldering perimeter scoring and spacing responsibilities.
Currently, the Shandong management and coaching staff are conducting a comprehensive review. They will analyze problems from multiple angles including foreign player recruitment, domestic lineup construction, tactical system refinement, and young player development. Regarding foreign players, the club has abandoned the “four-import” strategy and will align with the upcoming CBA three-import policy. Following the principle of “choosing the best, avoiding redundancy,” they plan to target one elite interior defender, one versatile wing guard, and one playmaking point guard, prioritizing players with strong work ethics, consistent performance, and compatibility with the domestic core.
On the domestic side, the Tao Hanlin–Gao Shiyan–Chen Linjian framework is non-negotiable. The team will make targeted additions and rotations around them. For the frontcourt, besides retaining Tao, they will promote quality young centers from the youth team to add depth and share the load. For the backcourt, they will find a reliable backup for Gao to reduce his workload. The frontcourt, centered on Chen, will be complemented by young, explosive wings to strengthen perimeter attack and transition defense. Additionally, the club will focus on developing young talents like Wang Zheng and Zhao Haoran, giving them more playing time to accelerate growth and build a balanced roster mixing veterans with youth for future competitiveness.
Shandong basketball has a rich heritage and high expectations from fans. Returning to the top eight this season is a new beginning, not an end. The departure of the four foreign players is not a setback but a necessary step toward domestic maturity. Tao Hanlin’s perseverance,