Henan Jiaozuo Cultural Tourism Men s Basketball Official: "Jiaozuo LeBron" Li Gen takes charge of the team as general manager

November 23rd Henan Jiaozuo Cultural Tourism Men’s Basketball Team recently officially announced that former CBA player Li Gen officially serves as the team’s general manager.

The original text of the official announcement is as follows:

On November 21, 2025, the Board of Directors of Henan Jiaozuo Cultural Tourism Basketball Club decided to appoint Mr. Li Gen as the general manager of our club. The "Jiaozuo LeBron" who carries countless memories of Henan fans will take off his jersey and change coaches, leading the "Central Plains Iron Army" of the Henan Men's Basketball Team to compete in the NBL arena and write a brighter new chapter for hometown basketball.

Speaking of Li Gen, Henan fans are filled with pride and affection. Born in a basketball family in Jiaozuo in 1988, he entered the Jiaozuo Amateur Basketball School at the age of 8 and started pursuing his dream. In 2006, he represented Jiaozuo and won the Henan Provincial Games championship, winning honor for his hometown. After landing in the CBA in 2008, Li Gen's legendary road became more and more dazzling: he scored 31 points in the CBA All-Star Game and won the MVP, scored 33 points in the half of the league, and scored 41 points in a single game in his career. He also became the first player in CBA history to represent two teams. The team (Beijing Jinyu and Xinjiang Guanghui) has a record of winning championships and has won the championship trophy twice; at the national team level, he was selected for the Chinese Men's Basketball Team in 2015 and won the Asian Championship with the team. In 2016, he competed in the Rio Olympics and interpreted "Henan Pride" with his strength. In 2022, Li Gen will serve as the image ambassador of the Jiaozuo Basketball Cultural Festival, always caring about the development of basketball in his hometown. Now, this concern for hometown has turned into a practical responsibility. On September 16 this year, the Henan Provincial Ball Sports Center and the Jiaozuo Cultural Tourism Industry Investment Group officially signed a contract to jointly establish the Jiaozuowen Basketball Club, announcing that the NBL Henan Men's Basketball home court has officially settled in Jiaozuo - the basketball land that gave birth to Li Gen, finally ushered in the roots and growth of professional clubs. Relying on Jiaozuo's strong basketball atmosphere and solid mass base, the club aims to create a comprehensive platform that integrates event operations, talent training, and cultural dissemination: improve the youth training system, build professional training bases, and cultivate local basketball talents. It will not only achieve great results in the NBL arena, but also promote the popularization of basketball, ignite youth basketball enthusiasm, and create a strong atmosphere of national fitness. "When I return home, I want to do something practical for Henan basketball." Li Gen's return not only injects championship genes and professional vision into the Henan men's basketball team, but also makes the future of Zhongyuan basketball full of infinite possibilities. As a player, he won the reputation of "Iron-blooded Forward" with his tenacious and hard-working style; after retiring, Li Gen returned to Jiaozuo to help develop the youth basketball industry and regularly gave free lessons to local youth players. Now as the general manager, he will bring his deep understanding of basketball and deep feelings for his hometown to lead the Henan Men's Basketball Team to gather strength and strive for the first place. From a boy in Jiaozuo to the main player of the national team, from a CBA champion to the helmsman of his hometown team, Li Gen's every step is closely connected with basketball and deeply tied to his hometown. In the future, let us look forward to the "Central Plains Iron Army" under the leadership of Li Gen, overcoming obstacles and creating greater glory in the NBL arena, making the voice of Henan basketball resound across the country, making Jiaozuo's "Basketball City" business card shine brighter, and injecting strong impetus into the high-quality development of the province's basketball industry!