Jiang Shi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Jiang Shi (蒋石)
Alias(es)	Uncle Jiang
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Retired former professional basketball player; private basketball coach and mentor
Status	Retired; active as a coach
First Appearance	Chapter 4 4

Background / History

Jiang Shi is a retired basketball player who encounters Zhu Zhan training alone at a residential-court basketball court. Recognizing Zhu Zhan's foundation and potential, he offers to coach him; after demonstrating a powerful dunk and defeating Zhu Zhan 6–0 in one-on-one, he takes Zhu Zhan on as a trainee. 4

He later reveals that a serious injury once nearly ended his ability to play basketball. While considering leaving the sport, he reflected on his experiences with his teammates and discovered his personal reason for playing. He deliberately leaves Zhu Zhan to find his own answer rather than giving it to him outright. 31

Though he initially treats training Zhu Zhan as something to do in retirement, Jiang Shi becomes invested in the boy's development, viewing him as an uncut gem with the potential to become a basketball star. 4 7

Appearance

Jiang Shi is a middle-aged man with a lean, muscular build. Despite his age and retirement, he remains physically imposing and highly capable on the court. 4 11 12

• Wears a number 0 jersey, inspired by Gilbert Arenas; he explains that “at the beginning, everyone is a zero.” 11
• Has visible facial wrinkles when he smiles. 7 31
• Uses a strong, burly body to create contact and overpower opponents during one-on-one play. 12

Personality

Jiang Shi is confident, observant, and fond of teasing Zhu Zhan, but he is serious about basketball and mentorship. He studies Zhu Zhan's physical condition, shooting flaws, stamina, and instincts before tailoring his training rather than forcing a generic regimen on him. 4 5 6

He values discipline and quiet effort. Jiang Shi admires Zhu Zhan specifically because he trains and improves without seeking attention, believing that not every player begins with obvious superstar potential. 7 9

On the court, Jiang Shi becomes intensely competitive and expects Zhu Zhan to meet pressure with composure. He repeatedly emphasizes controlling one's own rhythm instead of being controlled by an opponent. 11 12

Abilities & Skills

Elite Shooting

As a former professional, Jiang Shi displays exceptionally stable shooting mechanics and accuracy. During a demonstration, he makes roughly eighty shots with standard, fluid form and an approximately seventy-percent shooting percentage. 5

• Teaches proper hand form, posture, release, shot force, and rebound retrieval. 5 6
• Identifies the gradual breakdown in Zhu Zhan's mechanics after extended shooting. 6
• Emphasizes that stable shooting must become an instinct usable under any circumstance. 6
• Distinguishes between mechanical repetition and a shooter’s personal rhythm under defensive pressure. 43 44

One-on-One Offense

Jiang Shi remains a dominant one-on-one player, defeating Zhu Zhan 6–0 in their first match and later taking a 5–0 lead after spotting him three points. 4 12

• Uses convincing shoulder feints, crossovers, changes of direction, and pull-up threats to create scoring lanes. 12 45
• Adjusts his decision after reading the defender’s reaction, turning a simple feint into either a drive, jumper, or passing opportunity. 45
• Combines height, timing, shooting form, and physical contact to score over or through defenders. 12

Defensive Technique

Jiang Shi teaches defense through spacing, reaction, and anticipation rather than reckless pressure. 45 46

• Maintains approximately one step of space to guard against either direction of a drive. 45
• Uses small retreats to preserve the ability to recover with a single step. 45
• Trains Zhu Zhan to read feints, maintain rhythm, and avoid letting an opponent dictate the pace. 12 45
• His instruction noticeably improves Zhu Zhan's confidence against skilled ball-handlers. 46 49

Coaching and Training

Jiang Shi develops a systematic program around Zhu Zhan's limitations: a slight build, limited driving options, and unstable shooting. He identifies shooting as Zhu Zhan's clearest route to expanding his offense. 5 6

• Created the Three Hundreds shooting drill: 100 paint shots, 100 free-throw-semicircle shots, and 100 three-pointers under time limits. 6
• Uses push-ups as consequences for missed targets or missed shots. 6 7 9
• Introduces jump-rope work for coordination, agility, lower-body elasticity, footwork, and breathing control. 10 11
• Teaches regulated breathing to conserve stamina, steady emotions, and preserve shooting accuracy. 11 12
• Explains off-ball movement and the importance of creating shooting opportunities. 44

Equipment / Training Items

• Number 0 basketball jersey. 11
• Basketballs used for shooting drills and one-on-one sessions. 5 12
• Stopwatch used to enforce timed shooting targets. 6 7
• Jump ropes used for coordination, rhythm, and breathing exercises. 10 11

Relationships

• Zhu Zhan — Protégé and primary trainee. Jiang Shi privately coaches him, tests him in one-on-one play, and guides him toward finding his purpose in basketball. 4 5 12 31
• Zhang Yuqing — Trainee who practices alongside Zhu Zhan; Jiang Shi supervises her shooting contests and training drills. 8 9 11
• Fang Shan — Zhu Zhan's school coach. Jiang Shi knows of Fang Shan’s reputation, though he denies personally knowing him. 4

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruiting Zhu Zhan

Jiang Shi approaches Zhu Zhan during his solitary night practice, proves his skill through a dunk and a 6–0 one-on-one victory, then becomes his private coach. 4

Shooting Foundation Training

He builds Zhu Zhan's initial program around repeated shooting, stamina management, and the Three Hundreds drill. This training helps Zhu Zhan discover his shooting “touch” and develop greater confidence in his form. 5 6 7

Training with Zhang Yuqing

Jiang Shi introduces Zhang Yuqing as a weekend training partner and raises the intensity of the shooting program. He oversees their competitive dynamic while continuing to evaluate Zhu Zhan's potential. 8 9

Rhythm, Breathing, and Defense

He expands Zhu Zhan's development beyond shooting by teaching jump-rope drills, controlled breathing, calm decision-making, and defensive spacing. His lessons directly influence Zhu Zhan’s performance in later games and one-on-one practice against Li Ke. 10 11 12 45 46

Teaching Purpose

After Zhu Zhan questions why he plays basketball, Jiang Shi shares the story of his near-career-ending injury and urges Zhu Zhan to discover his own reason to play. 31

Notable Quotes

“At the beginning, everyone is a zero. Start from zero!” 11

“Control your own rhythm instead of letting your opponent control it. Only then can you win the game!” 12

“When you understand why you play basketball, you'll charge forward without fear and never be afraid of any opponent!” 31