Veteran 68-year-old Song Zhijian shoots at the tryouts. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Over 200 basketball enthusiasts gathered for the Hangzhou regional tryouts of the Zhejiang City Basketball League, or ZheBA, on July 8, aiming to earn a coveted spot on the district teams.

Among them, the standout wasn't a young rising star — but 68-year-old Song Zhijian from the Yuhang district of Hangzhou.

A basketball lover since the age 10, Song still plays two to three times a week and once held a national referee certificate. Though he couldn't keep up physically with younger players during the one-minute shooting and layup drills, he impressed with his precision and spirit.

"I may not outlast them, but I can still shoot," Song said. "ZheBA stands for love — if you love the game, that's enough."

Participants ranged from students and teachers to retirees and amateur league players. Coaches, including former Zhejiang Guangsha head coach Zhao Dapeng, selected top performers to reinforce their teams.

The ZheBA tryouts offered not just competition — but a celebration of grassroots passion for the game across generations.

Young players compete. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]