Zou Yang (left), Team CUBA forward from Tsinghua University, makes a layup in the game against Team CBA Sophomore at the 2023 CBA All-Star Rookie Challenge in Xiamen, southeast China, on March 25, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

XIAMEN, China - Guangzhou forward Cui Yongxi and Tsinghua forward Zou Yang were named Most Valuable Players at the 2023 CBA All-Star Rookie Challenge here on Saturday.

In order to showcase more talented young stars, CBA scheduled two games in the Rookie Challenge day for this year's All-Star Weekend.

In the first game, the CBA Freshmen team outscored the Peking University team 94-80.

Cui, 19, bagged a team-high 19 points and the MVP award. Four other CBA Freshmen teammates scored double digits.

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Cui is considered one of the most competitive young forwards in CBA. He was selected for the Chinese national team and played in the World Cup Qualifiers last year.

We are from different teams, but we created plenty of chances for each other ... This game shows our passion and courage. The MVP is a new start for me. I will try my best in the league.

Cui Yongxi, Guangzhou forward

"We are from different teams, but we created plenty of chances for each other," said Cui.

"This game shows our passion and courage. The MVP is a new start for me. I will try my best in the league."

In the second game, Team CUBA defeated Team CBA Sophomore 81-74.

Team CUBA led 24-19 in the first quarter thanks to the sharp-shooting Zou and kept widening the gap in the following period. Zou and Wang Lanqin combined 18 points, helping their side lead 43-32 by half-time.

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Team CBA Sophomore fought hard to get back in the second half and managed to cut the deficit to five points with one minute left. Then Team CUBA delivered a stable performance on the free-throw line in the final seconds, wrapping up the victory with a seven-point advantage.

Zou had 17 points and 10 rebounds to bring home the MVP award. CUBA center Du Bochao added 10 points.

Zhang Ning, Xu Jie, Jiao Boqiao and Guo Ailun made it into the final of the Technics Challenge.

Yuan Shuai, Wang Ruize, and Zhou Qimo qualified for the Three-Point Shooting Contest final.

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Yang Hao, Zhang Zhenlin and Zeng Fanbo moved into the Dunk Contest final.

The CBA All-Star game and the finals of the three contests will be held here on Sunday.