Reporter: Cai Houzhuo / Taipei
17-year-old Taiwanese-American basketball prodigy Ava Chang officially joined the training camp of the Chinese White Team for the 45th William Jones Cup on the 11th. Accompanied by her parents, she met with Chinese White Team head coach Lin Jiwen and the media in the morning. She shared her initial encounter with basketball and publicly stated her goal of challenging the WNBA, citing Kaitlyn Chen, the first Taiwanese-American WNBA player, as her idol.
Born in 2009 and standing 178 cm tall, Ava Chang hails from Denver, Colorado, and holds both Taiwanese and American heritage. This summer, she showcased exceptional talent in the top-tier AAU event adidas 3SSB 17U, averaging 17 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals over 10 games, with a three-point shooting percentage of 34.3%, ranking among the top 10 scorers in the tournament.
Her impressive skills have drawn significant attention in the United States, earning her scholarship offers from 25 NCAA Division I universities. She ultimately committed to Northwestern University, a powerhouse in the Big Ten Conference. She cited the university’s strong academic environment and the excellent player development capabilities of head coach Carla Berube and her staff as key factors in her decision.
Regarding her future career, Ava Chang made no secret of her ambition, setting her sights on the WNBA and overseas professional play as ultimate goals. "My ultimate goal is definitely to make it to the WNBA and do everything I can to go as far as possible and play as long as possible in basketball," she said. Notably, Northwestern head coach Carla Berube previously coached at Princeton University, where she developed Taiwanese-American star Kaitlyn Chen.
Ava Chang explicitly stated that Kaitlyn Chen is her idol. "She is the first Taiwanese-American player to play in the WNBA, and that's what I want to do. I hope to play as well as she does and learn about her story and journey," she added. On the academic side, Ava Chang has set a clear five-year plan: completing her undergraduate degree in the first three years and pursuing a master’s in business in the following two, aiming to balance high-level basketball with excellent academic credentials.
To adapt early to the Taiwanese basketball style, Ava Chang revealed that she has already contacted young Taiwanese player Lin Yuhan, who is currently playing in the U.S., through mutual friends. The two discussed her experiences representing Taiwan and the differences between the basketball environments in Taiwan and the U.S. Now, after about 12 years away, Ava Chang is excited and eager to be back on Taiwanese soil. She hopes to make the most of this opportunity to train with the Chinese White Team and, after completing her passport procedures, officially represent Taiwan on the international stage someday.
