Australia cemented its dominance in Asian basketball with a heart-stopping 90-89 victory over China in the FIBA Asia Cup final in Jeddah on Sunday, securing its third consecutive title since joining the tournament in 2017. The Boomers extended their historic unbeaten streak to 18 games in a contest that came down to the final second.
China, led by captain Zhao Rui’s clutch free throws, narrowed Australia’s lead to one point with 3.9 seconds remaining. But guard Hu Mingxuan’s last-gasp shot rimmed out, leaving the Chinese squad agonizingly short of a comeback. Xavier Cooks starred for Australia with a game-high 30 points, including decisive free throws in the final moments.
The match saw dramatic momentum shifts, with China building a 15-point second-quarter lead through strong performances from Hu Jinqiu and Zhao Rui. Australia clawed back steadily, setting up a fourth-quarter duel featuring seven lead changes. The victory avenged China’s 97-71 loss to Australia in the 2017 quarterfinals, showcasing the team’s marked improvement.
While Australia’s regional supremacy remains unchallenged, China’s narrow defeat signals growing competitiveness in Asian basketball. The result is likely to fuel discussions among analysts and sports investors about emerging opportunities in China’s rapidly developing basketball ecosystem.
