After an all-around performance in her first Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) game, Fang Min thought she has a lot to improve to better fit into the professional league.
Fang Min
"I need to improve my physical condition and experience," she told Xinhua, after finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists against Shanxi.
A star in China University Basketball Association (CUBA) league, Fang got to fame when she scored a jaw-dropping 72 points representing Central South University on May 16, 2019, refreshing CUBA's scoring record in a single game.
The glittering play in the university basketball league earned Fang an overall WBCA top draft pick by Henan in 2020.
Judging through her stats, it seemed that Fang has undergone a seamless connection from university to the professional league. Still, the hopeful had something to say about the vast difference between the two leagues.
Fang Min
"I feel that physical contention is not at the same level. The opponents played tough on both ends. As for the game experience, I'm not at the same level with teammates and opponents either," she noted.
"I'm sure that I can make many layups on the university basketball court, but here, when opponents inflicted huge pressure on me, my chance of doing that will be much lower."
Shanxi captain Wu Tongtong was pleased to witness her former teammate's progress as both graduated from Changsha Changjun High School in central China's Hunan province and teamed up for the school in national high school tournaments.
"I feel pretty happy for her. She played great today, and we didn't restrain her quite well. Witnessing her performance today, I feel that she has a bright future," Wu explained.
Fang Min
In her WCBA debut, Fang displayed impressive speed and sharpness on the offensive end, but due to a lack of experience, she was called two offensive fouls in a row when the two sides were involved in jigsaw-like contention in the third quarter.
"I have to improve my control of the game in crunch time," Fang admitted. "It requires time, and I cannot worry about it too much. For every game, I have to prepare well beforehand and draw some experience after it to march forward, step by step."
"She had a remarkable performance coming off the bench but failed to convert some layups due to a physical slump. She still needs to go through some tests game after game. Hopefully, she can progress deep into the season," said Henan coach Li Jianxin.
Fang Min
"Speed is her advantage. We hope she can improve her vision on the court and shooting ability," added the former head coach of China's women's junior national team.
The first stage of Mohamed Salah’s rehabilitation at Liverpool is complete after the Egypt forward returned to the team for its 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
The question now as Salah heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations: Is there a future for him at Anfield when he comes back?
Salah, who let rip last weekend about his current frustrations at Liverpool, entered as a 26th-minute substitute to a big ovation and set up the second of Hugo Ekitike’s goals as the defending champion extended its unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.
Also Saturday, Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 and was set on its way to victory by Cole Palmer’s first goal in three months. First-place Arsenal hosts last-place Wolverhampton later.
Salah held talks with Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Friday in an effort to overcome their issues and the result was that Salah was recalled to the matchday squad for the Brighton game. He had been a substitute for the last three Premier League matches before being left at home for the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan as a punishment for his explosive comments to reporters last weekend.
“It was an easy decision to put him in the squad," Slot said. “I have said many times before what has been said between us will stay between us.”
Liverpool's fans demonstrated they are willing to excuse Salah for his show of anger and gave him a rapturous welcome when he came on as a substitute for the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half.
By then, Liverpool was leading 1-0 thanks to Ekitike's rising shot inside the first minute and Salah showed glimpses of his class, especially on the counterattack. It was Salah's corner kick that was headed in by Ekitike for the second goal in the 60th, sparking another round of chants for the Egyptian.
Slot said Salah was a threat all game.
“Pleasing to see but not a surprise,” Slot said.
Salah could be away for more than a month if Egypt goes all the way in the Africa Cup.
It was a second straight start for Palmer, whose season has been blighted by a groin injury that has restricted him to seven games in all competitions.
There looked to be nothing wrong with Palmer when he ran onto Malo Gusto's pass and slipped a finish inside the near post to give Chelsea the lead in the 21st minute at Stamford Bridge.
However, Palmer said after the game that he wasn't at his best yet because he was “still dealing with an injury.”
“It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon,” Palmer told the BBC. “Literally, it’s just a day-by-day thing. Hopefully it gets better.”
Gusto added the second goal in the 45th minute for Chelsea, which jumped to fourth place.
Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
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Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton in London, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool fans hold placard depicting Liverpool's Mohamed Salah before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Lewis Dunk during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
