Basketball is a popular sport and is oriented to be a strong sport in Da Nang. The city’s basketball team includes many promising young faces, namely Truong Van Dai and Nguyen Dinh Quang Tu. These athletes and their teammates have done their utmost to win many championships at national youth basketball tournaments.

Nguyen Dinh Quang Tu (right) and Truong Van Dai (second, left) are two of the young talents who have contributed a lot to Da Nang basketball. Photo: PHI NONG

The first impression upon meeting Nguyen Dinh Quang Tu who was born in 2004 is his agility and dexterity, and his enthusiasm and determination in training and competing. 2024 was a successful year for the young man when he won many noble titles.

Most recently, Quang Tu and his teammates of the BDC Thanh Khe Team have beaten strong basketball clubs in Da Nang to win the Thanh Khe District Open Basketball Tournament in 2024.

In addition to the collective title, he was also voted as one of the two best players of the tournament. As a player of the Da Nang youth basketball team, the image of Quang Tu competing in grassroots tournaments in the city has become familiar.

"I want to participate in tournaments to gain professional experience, develop my abilities, gain useful experiences for myself, and contribute more to Da Nang sports. For athletes pursuing a professional career, taking part in competitions regularly is very necessary" Quang Tu said.

Quang Tu came to Da Nang basketball as a fate. Born and raised in Quang Nam Province’s Tam Ky City, Tu played many sports during his childhood, of which basketball was his favorite. In 2019, during a friendly basketball match in Da Nang, he had the opportunity to meet two coaches of the Da Nang youth basketball team, namely Dam Huy Dai and Le Ngoc Tai. Seeing his great love for basketball, the coaches created conditions for Tu to pursue a professional career.

“I was very happy to be chosen by the teachers and determined to pursue it to the end. After school, I went from Tam Ky to Da Nang to practice under the guidance of the teachers in the coaching staff. Two years later, I was given the opportunity to participate in national youth championships with the Da Nang youth basketball team” Quang Tu shared.

Quang Tu and his teammates of the Da Nang youth basketball team won many valuable medals. The most impressive of which were the two championships of the 2022 National 5x5 U18 Basketball Championship in Da Nang and the 2024 National 5x5 U20 Basketball Championship in Hue.

“I am very happy that my efforts have contributed to the overall success of Da Nang sports. In 2025, I will continue to try my best in training, hoping to be selected for the Da Nang youth basketball team to participate in the National 5x5 U23 Basketball Championship and the National Basketball Championship” Quang Tu voiced his hope.

Along with Quang Tu, Truong Van Dai, born in 2004, residing in Hoa Khe Ward, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang, has made many contributions to Da Nang basketball.

Having only been playing basketball for 4 years, Dai is highly regarded for his height, good speed and discipline in training and competition.

“In 2020, when playing for Thanh Khe Senior High School’s basketball team, I was selected by Coach Dam Huy Dai to join the Da Nang youth basketball team, creating many favorable conditions for me to pursue my passion. This is an important turning point, urging me to strive to win noble medals to meet the expectations of my coaches and contribute to the city's high-performance sports,” Dai said.

Since 2021, Dai has participated in many national basketball championships and won medals such as bronze medal at National U16 Basketball Championship in 2021, gold medal at National U18 Basketball Championship in 2022, bronze medal at National U23 Basketball Championship in 2024, and gold medal at National U20 Basketball Championship 2024.

Aside from national championships, Dai has actively competed in national-scale grassroots tournaments. At the recent 2024 National Student Basketball Tournament in the central region, Dai and his teammates at the Da Nang University men's basketball team won the championship, representing the Central region to compete in the national finals.

At the final round of the 2024 National Student Basketball Tournament in Ho Chi Minh City, Dai and his teammates are in Group B with Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports, and Hoa Sen University. He said that he will try his best with his teammates to get a ticket to the semi-finals.

According to coach Le Ngoc Tai, the basketball movement has spread widely in the city, creating favourable conditions for seeking young talents. Along with Truong Van Dai and Nguyen Dinh Quang Tu, the city has other promising athletes such as Le Trung Khoa and Vo Trong Man.The coaching staff creates the best conditions for athletes to practice and compete in national championships and amateur tournaments as well to gain professional experience. Hopefully, they will maintain good form and continue to contribute to the overall success of Da Nang sports in the future.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG