BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Chinese Basketball Hall of Fame induction took place at Tsinghua University on Sunday.

The ceremony commenced with appearances by previous Hall of Fame inductees, followed by the induction of the honorees of the year 2024: Li Hanting and Gong Xiaobin (outstanding male athletes); Yang Jie and Miao Lijie (outstanding female athletes); Ma Qingsheng (outstanding coach); Guo Yupei (outstanding referee); and Li Zhenzhong, Wu Chengzhang, and Huang Lie (pioneers of Chinese basketball).

Miao Lijie reminisced about her career highlights, while Gong Xiaobin showcased a scar from a game in 1998 against South Korea, urging younger players: "Only by stepping onto the global stage can you truly represent China."

This third annual induction brings the Hall of Fame's total to 42 individuals and three collectives, cementing its role in preserving China's basketball heritage.■