Shanghai Sharks starts training with entire team

Shanghai plays against Shanxi in the 28th round of the 2019/2020 CBA season in Shanghai on January 16, 2020. (Xinhua/Haishaer)

CBA outfit Shanghai Sharks has started its first training of the year with a full roster while waiting for the season to restart.

SHANGHAI, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The China Basketball Association (CBA) outfit Shanghai Sharks has assembled its team and started its first training of the year with a full roster on Friday.

All domestic and foreign players of the team participated in the training. Head coach Manos Manouselis expressed his hope that the training could make his players stronger and more self-disciplined while waiting for the season to restart.

In January, the Shanghai Sharks relocated its training base from Shanghai Oriental Land to San Jia Bay in Pudong New Area, which is equipped with better facilities for training.

Shanghai player Wang Tong makes attempt to shoot during the 29th round match against Shenzhen in the 2019/20 CBA season in shanghai on January 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Haishaer)

"Although we don't know when the game will restart, we still need to improve our strength and techniques," said captain Zhang Zhaoxu, pledging not to give up any opportunities in the playoffs.

Former NBA center Donatas Motiejunas regards the running-in with the team as a continuous process.

"The first season is always the most difficult. We need to improve our execution of tactics on the court," he said.

The Shanghai Sharks pocketed nine victories in the 30 rounds of the CBA games, ranking No. 16 on the table before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  ■