Most improved Wu working hard to overcome injuries and return to form
After a breakout year in the ASEAN Basketball League last season, Wu Qingde is hopeful of overcoming injury to have another stellar campaign for the Singapore Slingers in 2016-17.
Wu missed the first eight games of last season with a knee injury but worked his way into the Slingers rotation, and was a key performer in the team’s extended playoff run that ended in a game-five grand-final loss to KL Dragons.
Wu suffered an ankle injury in the Singapore National Basketball League earlier this year, and is slowly working his way back from that injury, as well as some general knee soreness, to prepare for the season ahead.
Wu, who averaged 1.9 and 2.5 points per game respectively in his first two seasons with the Slingers, was the team’s most improved player last year, increasing his points production to 10 per game, while also doubling his assist and steals totals from the previous years.
In his first three games after returning from injury last season, Wu had consistent games of 10, 9 and 12 points, but it was his standout performances in the next two games that really set his season alight.
Wu exploded for 21 points against the Philippines’ MX3 Kings in Round 9, and then backed it up with 19 points on 5-7 shooting from the 3-point line against Hi-Tech Bangkok City in the next game.
He said those games were a turning point for him in his career. “Those two nights were pretty crazy,” Wu said.
“I didn’t really expect it. It was a great feeling, and I gained a lot of confidence during that period.”
While Wu was flying high after his career-high performances against the Kings and Bangkok, he then struggled over the next five games, averaging only 5 points per game.
“After those two games, I didn’t shoot well, which was quite demoralising,” he said.
“But when I was down my coaches and teammates still gave me a lot of confidence.
“Although I was not making shots, they still believed in my defence and all-round game. I slowly regained confidence and then the playoffs went well.”
Wu bounced back to form in the final game of the regular season with 14 points, and then had a terrific playoffs series. He played more than 30 minutes per game in the semi finals and finals, averaging 9 points and 4 rebounds per game. He shot 54% from the 3-pt line in the semi final series win over Bangkok.
Wu credits his teammates and a “no fear” attitude for his sharp improvement last season.
“The previous two years I was more conservative on offence, and I really focused on defence,” Wu said.
“Last year, we didn’t have Larry Liew, and I realised I needed to step up. Larry and Ng Han Bin have given me a lot of guidance, and they really helped me understand how to create space and get open.
“My attitude was that I had nothing to lose, so when I was open, I’d take the shots.”
Slingers coach Neo Beng Siang said Wu worked hard to improve, and he is confident Wu can overcome his recent injuries and return to his best form this season.
“He’s a bit down at the moment due to his injury, but last week we really noticed that he is getting back on track,” Neo said.
“He needs more practice time to get back to where he was last season, but with his work ethic, his confidence will come back. He played really well last season.”
Wu will combine his Slingers and National Service commitments as an Air Operations Specialist for the next eight months.
Slingers open the season at OCBC Arena against Malaysia Dragons on Nov 25.
Article written by Michael Farrell
