A Comparative Study on Basketball Talent Training Programs in Chinese and Philippine Universities

Abstract

This study employs a descriptive-comparative-correlational research design to investigate the self-assessed perceptions of university basketball athletes from China and the Philippines regarding their talent training outcomes and competition system experiences. A survey was administered to a sample of 60 athletes (38 from China, 22 from the Philippines) to collect data on their demographic profiles and their evaluations of training effectiveness in areas such as ball-handling, shooting, and defensive skills, as well as competition-related factors like mental preparation and decision-making under pressure. The findings indicate that athletes from both countries generally perceived their training outcomes as only slightly effective, with notable deficiencies in advanced ball-handling, defensive skills, and particularly in mental resilience and emotional control during competition. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in perceptions based on the athletes' country of origin, with Chinese athletes reporting a slightly better understanding of the game system. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation was found between athletes' ratings of their training outcomes and their perspectives on the competition system. The study concludes that current training programs in both countries require significant enhancement, with an urgent need to integrate structured mental skills training and more practical, game-simulated drills. These findings provide evidence-based insights for coaches and administrators to reform talent development strategies by addressing the critical gaps in psychological preparation and advanced skill application identified by the athletes themselves.