Nguyen Trung Minh Quan, captain of Phan Dinh Phung High School's basketball team in Ha Noi, distinguished himself at the VnExpress Youth Basketball - Ziaja Cup 2025. His agility and decisive scoring plays were key to his performance.

The 1,79m tall student dedicates an additional four evenings each week, from 18h to 21h, to practice near his home. This supplements his team's schedule and is a routine he follows before tournaments.

"A shooting guard needs to maintain stability, sharpness, and mental fortitude to execute accurate shots", Quan observed.

Nguyen Trung Minh Quan. Photo: Provided by character

Quan began playing basketball in 4th grade at school sports clubs. His initial goal was to explore new activities beyond football. He also found basketball to be a way to connect with new friends and improve his health.

"Without basketball, I would probably just bury my head in books", Quan said.

During that period, Quan practiced only one or two sessions per week. In 6th grade, he joined the WBA basketball team, gaining valuable experience by participating in many friendly tournaments among schools and teams.

In 8th grade, as he started using social media, Quan discovered more tournaments and his interest grew. A significant turning point occurred in the summer of 10th grade when Quan earned a spot in the National U16 5x5 Basketball Championship, winning a bronze medal with his team. This remains his best achievement to date.

Quan most vividly recalls a match against Bac Ninh Pitbull A. He entered the game in the third quarter, scoring 7 consecutive points and helping his team secure a victory.

"After that game, I was very happy to be recognized and known by more people", Quan recounted.

His most regrettable loss was against Yen Hoa team in last year's Highschool Basketball (HSB) tournament. This was a crucial match for winning the cup. Quan and his teammates were initially considered stronger and led the game, but the opposing team pulled ahead in the third quarter.

Quan (center) competing in the VnExpress Youth Basketball 2025 tournament. Photo: VnExpress Youth Basketball 2025

Quan's family strongly supports his passion for basketball, on the condition that he does not neglect his studies. The student believes that to excel at anything, one needs to maintain a clear mind and have a definite plan.

He learned to arrange his practice schedule around game schedules logically, avoiding overlaps. This approach allows him to balance his passion and academics effectively. Quan attends school in the mornings and takes extra drawing and literature classes in the afternoons. He dedicates his remaining evening hours to basketball. To retain knowledge from his subjects, he focuses on taking notes directly in class and prioritizes repeated reading.

"I am not sure playing basketball helps me study better, but I feel more uplifted and relaxed when studying", Quan said. His 11th-grade GPA was 9,1.

Ms. Ngo Thu Huong, Minh Quan's homeroom teacher, described him as dynamic and highly disciplined. "Quan is always optimistic, calm, and diligent in all activities he participates in", she said.

Nguyen Vu Huy, head coach of Pham Hong Thai High School's basketball team, praised Quan's excellent shooting skills. He noted that Quan is experienced and can inspire a new generation of young players in 10th and 11th grades. As captain, Quan serves as a bridge between the coach and the team: conveying information about tournaments, schedules, meeting times, necessary preparations, and understanding each member's physical and mental state.

"Quan has a strong personality and great potential in basketball. He is always eager to learn and strives to improve himself after every game", Huy stated.

Quan views basketball as a passion, even though he does not intend to pursue it professionally. He plans to study graphic design at Ha Noi University of Architecture to broaden his career options later.

Huyen Trang