Zhang Xingliang, considered a young promise in Chinese basketball, starred in an unusual episode that cost him dearly. The 20-year-old Guangzhou Loong Lions player was suspended by the club after trying to sneak his girlfriend into the hotel where the team was staying, hiding her inside a suitcase to avoid being discovered.
Although Zhang claimed that his girlfriend’s presence was for the purpose of studying together, the plan was exposed when she shared images on social media that showed how she had managed to enter the room. The posts quickly went viral, catching the attention of club officials.
In an official statement, the Guangzhou Loong Lions announced the player’s suspension: “Zhang Xingliang attracted media attention due to his inability to manage issues in his private sphere. After consultation with the technical committee and management, we have decided to suspend him from the main team’s work with immediate effect.”
The case generated great repercussion in China, with many fans divided between criticism of the player’s attitude and humor in the face of his creativity. Zhang Xingliang will now have to deal with the consequences of this unusual decision, which could negatively impact his promising career.
