On March 23rd, the inauguration ceremony of the China Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024 was held at Tsinghua University. Our school alumnus, Professor Li Zhenzhong, former dean of the Department of Physical Education at Shanghai Normal University, entered the hall as a Pioneer of Chinese Basketball.
Li Zhenzhong, born on April 11, 1916, held the glory of Chinese basketball with a towering figure of 1.88 meters, representing the country in international competitions such as the Far East Games and the Olympics. In 1948, he was selected for the Shanghai basketball team and led the team as the captain of the Chinese basketball team to compete in the 14th London Olympics. He excelled in long-range shooting, especially his iconic one-handed shot.
After retiring, he took root in Shanghai sports education, sublimated his competitive wisdom into an academic model, and cultivated over 500 physical education teachers. In 1977, he served as the dean and professor of the Department of Physical Education at Shanghai Normal University. In 1979, he was appointed as the vice chairman of the Chinese Handball Association and also served as a postgraduate supervisor for the School of Physical Education at Shanghai Normal University. He promoted the development of the first general basketball textbook for sports colleges in New China and participated in the stipulation of the Sports Law of the People's Republic of China. In his late years, he donated funds to establish the Li Zhenzhong Sports Education Fund at Shanghai Normal University for the cultivation of sports talents. In 2017, Li Zhenzhong passed away due to illness at the age of 101. “Teacher Zhenzhong, with students all over the country“ is the best annotation for the old gentleman's life.
It is reported that the Chinese Basketball Hall of Fame has entered its third session, with a total of 42 individuals and three groups being selected. Through the three stages of nomination, recommendation, and final review, this year's China Basketball Hall of Fame has produced four Outstanding Athletes, one Outstanding Coach, one Outstanding Referee, and three Pioneers of Chinese Basketball.
