Out for the Season! Another Max Player Collapses with Injury, This Time It's Gu Quan

In a heartbreaking blow for both his team and fans, Gu Quan, one of the top sharpshooters in the CBA, has officially been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing left knee meniscus repair surgery. Expected to be sidelined for at least five months, the injury has essentially ended his campaign for the year, and with Gu Quan turning 33 next year, his future remains uncertain.

For the past few seasons, Gu Quan has been one of the most consistent and lethal perimeter threats in the CBA. His shooting touch has made him a household name, particularly during his career-best 2018-2019 season when he averaged an impressive 44.2% shooting from beyond the arc while knocking down 2.3 three-pointers per game. That season saw him named to the CBA All-Star team for the fourth time. However, as with many athletes, the relentless march of time has begun to take its toll. While still a potent shooter, Gu Quan's numbers have declined steadily, with his 11.4 points per game last season marking his lowest output in nearly a decade.

For much of his career, Gu Quan was a reliable scorer for the Shenzhen Leopards and a key contributor for the Chinese national basketball team. His standout performance at the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup was one of the brightest moments of his career. There, he was the team's leading scorer, averaging 16.8 points per game, and shot a scorching 3.8 three-pointers per game. His +13.6 plus-minus rating was also the best on the team. His heroics included a near game-winning shot against Bahrain, which exemplified his clutch performance on the international stage.

Yet, despite his immense contributions, things began to change after the departure of former national team coach Du Feng. Under the new regime of coaches Aleksandar Djordjević and Guo Shiqiang, Gu Quan found himself overlooked for national team call-ups. This shift in coaching staff has led to Gu Quan fading into the background, not only for the national team but also in the eyes of many fans and analysts who had once regarded him as a fixture of the future for Chinese basketball.

The injury to his knee now casts a long shadow over what would have been his final opportunity to prove himself during his D-level maximum contract year. Gu Quan’s future, once so promising, now faces a steep uphill battle.

A Contract Year Gone Wrong

Gu Quan entered this season with a D-level maximum contract, a deal that marks him among the highest-paid players in the league. Yet, his inability to play a single minute this season highlights just how quickly an athlete’s career can take an unexpected turn. Contract years are often a pivotal time for players looking to maximize their value and secure long-term financial security, but for Gu Quan, this season will not add another chapter to his legacy.

Injuries have marred the latter stages of his career, but no injury has been as significant as the one he sustained to his knee. For a player whose entire game relies on agility, movement, and explosiveness, the recovery from knee surgery will be challenging. The road back will be long, and with his 33rd birthday approaching, questions will inevitably rise about whether this injury will mark the end of his career or if he can make a successful comeback.

Gu Quan's Impact on Shenzhen and the CBA

Before this injury, Gu Quan was expected to be one of the key figures in Shenzhen’s rotation, bringing both leadership and scoring ability to a team that was striving for playoff contention. As one of the most accomplished shooters in CBA history, his absence is a devastating blow to the Leopards, who have now lost a primary source of offense and perimeter shooting.

In the larger scope of the CBA, Gu Quan was also seen as a standard-bearer for high-level shooting. The CBA has always had a fair share of international stars and young prospects, but Gu Quan’s steady excellence from beyond the arc made him a player worth watching year after year. His ability to shoot over defenders and hit clutch shots, particularly in high-pressure moments, solidified his place as one of the most respected veterans in the league.

However, with this injury sidelining him for the rest of the season, Shenzhen will now need to rely on other players to step up in his absence. While the team has young talents with potential, none possess the kind of scoring consistency Gu Quan had. This will undoubtedly shift the team’s strategies for the remainder of the season, and they will have to adjust quickly if they hope to remain competitive in the already intense CBA playoff race.

Gu Quan's Decline and the Changing Landscape of Chinese Basketball

As much as Gu Quan’s injury is a personal setback, it is also part of a broader narrative in Chinese basketball. Over the years, the CBA has seen a shift in its talent pool. Once dominated by a handful of stalwarts like Gu Quan, the league is increasingly being reshaped by younger players who bring different styles of play, and increasingly, foreign imports who can provide a higher level of athleticism and skill.

For Gu Quan, the decline in his performance is a familiar story that many aging athletes face. The game is getting faster, more athletic, and more versatile, and for players who rely on sharp shooting and off-the-ball movement, the wear and tear of years of competition takes a toll. Gu Quan, once one of the league’s brightest stars, has been gradually overtaken by younger players who have more explosive athleticism and a wider skill set.

Even with his injury, Gu Quan will forever be remembered as one of the top shooters in CBA history. His peak years may be behind him, but his legacy as a key figure in the rise of Chinese basketball—particularly on the international stage—remains intact. His future in the national team may be uncertain, but his contributions to the Shenzhen Leopards and the CBA will not soon be forgotten.

The Next Steps for Gu Quan

As Gu Quan begins the long road to recovery, his future in the CBA hangs in the balance. There are many unknowns regarding his ability to regain his pre-injury form, and even more questions about his place in the league once he returns. Will his knee surgery rob him of the quickness and agility that have been vital to his style of play? How much longer will he be able to perform at a high level as he approaches his mid-30s?

For now, Gu Quan will need to focus on his rehabilitation and recovery, with the hope that he can return to the court next season, even if his role has to change. The injury may mark the end of his peak years, but it doesn’t have to signal the end of his career entirely. It’s possible that with the proper rehabilitation, Gu Quan could return as a role player and provide leadership and mentorship to younger players, continuing to contribute to the game he loves.

The Broader Picture: Injury Epidemic in the CBA

Unfortunately, Gu Quan’s injury is far from an isolated case. As the season progresses, other teams in the CBA are beginning to experience similar injury woes. Jiang Yuxing, a key player for Jilin, has recently been diagnosed with a back injury and is expected to miss the entire second stage of the season. Like Gu Quan, Jiang’s contract year was meant to be a platform for him to showcase his talents, but now, his season is also effectively over.

In the world of professional basketball, injuries are a harsh reality that players must always be prepared for. But for teams like Shenzhen and Jilin, the loss of their star players represents more than just a temporary setback. It underscores the fragile nature of the careers of even the most talented players and reminds us that one wrong turn can drastically change the trajectory of an athlete’s season—and perhaps their career.

In the case of Gu Quan, the future remains unclear, but the hope is that his comeback is possible. As we’ve seen in the careers of countless other athletes, a setback can often serve as the catalyst for an even more remarkable return. For now, the CBA and basketball fans everywhere will wait to see what happens next in Gu Quan’s storied career.