16-year-old male student, 1.78m tall, "causes a fever" at Hanoi student basketball tournament

Bui Quang Vu (born 2008) is a prominent name in the Nguyen Sieu High School team that won the men's basketball championship for the first time at the 2024 Hanoi Phu Dong Sports Festival . With a comprehensive and explosive playing style, the male student also won the MVP title in his first year of high school.

This is impressive because it has been 9 years since a 10th grade player brought the team to the championship and "won" the MVP, Doan Nhat Quang (Quang 8) - a player who played in VBA (Vietnam Professional Basketball League) in the Thang Long Warriors shirt.

Since his junior high school years, Quang Vu has attracted attention when he was named MVP at the 2023 Junior High School Basketball Tournament and the 2022 Jr. NBA tournament in Vietnam. At the 2023 Tien Phong and Nhi Dong Newspaper Basketball Tournament (VSBL) , the male student scored 44 points in a match.

Meeting Dan Tri reporter during the practice session of Hanoi Pitbulls - the basketball club he is participating in, Bui Quang Vu showed a calm, modest and gentle personality, different from his fierce image on the field.

16-year-old basketball talent wants to play in VBA, compete abroad (Video: Minh Hoang - Thu Thao).

Don't dare admit you're "out of line"

Congratulations to Vu on winning the MVP title and the men's basketball championship "Phu Dong Sports Festival Hanoi 2024". What does this victory mean to you?

- This victory is quite meaningful when I just entered the high school environment, also a rookie participating in the tournament. I have proven myself quite a lot. Before, I never thought I could win the championship in high school, when I was only in grade 10.

Bui Quang Vu

- Position on the field: PG (Point Guard)

- Measurements: Height 1.78m, weight 75kg

- Scoring record: 44 points in VSBL tournament

Many viewers commented that Vu played "out of his league" (had superior ability and skill compared to his opponent) in this tournament. What do you think?

- This is not entirely true because sometimes, I also make mistakes like my friends. I am just a normal student participating in the tournament.

Do you feel lucky that some prominent names of your age like Thanh Kylian or Thai Quang cannot compete this time?

- I feel quite sorry. I want to compete with good and famous basketball players in Hanoi to compete and compare my level with them.

Winning the basketball championship for two consecutive years and "taking" the MVP title, Vu is considered by many to be a promising young talent of Hanoi basketball. This comment seems not too much with what he has shown?

- I feel happy to be appreciated by everyone like that. But I think I'm not really outstanding and play better than my peers.

Nam sinh 16 tuổi cao 1,78m gây sốt tại giải bóng rổ học sinh Hà Nội - 1 — Bui Quang Vu - Student of Nguyen Sieu High School, Hanoi

What chance brought Vu to the orange ball?

- When I was in primary school, I played football at a professional club. After that, my mother advised me not to play football anymore because it was too harsh. I listened to her and focused on studying like my friends. When I was in secondary school, not every school had a football field, so I chose to play basketball because there were many friends who played this sport.

At first, like my friends, I just played for fun and to stay healthy. Then, I started practicing more from the beginning of 7th grade. Up to now, I have been playing basketball for nearly 4 years.

To play well, does Vu have to "eat and sleep with basketball"?

- I don't exactly "eat and sleep basketball" but I practice quite a lot. There are days when I spend 2-4 hours practicing. During the day, I still have to go to school. After school, I go home to eat, rest a bit, then go to the practice field. Near big tournaments, I usually practice about 1-2 hours/day.

Does Vu have any special training method?

- First, I find out what I need, then improve and enhance them. Next, I know my weaknesses, then gradually improve and enhance them step by step.

Mother of 16-year-old basketball talent: "Never seen my son get angry" (Video: Minh Hoang - Thu Thao).

Hope to play basketball in USA, Canada

In famous anime (Japanese animation) about basketball like "Slam Dunk", members of the school basketball team are often called hot boys, loved by many people. Is that true in real life for Vu?

- I think it's partly because I'm still a student, not too famous or influential, so not many people pay attention to me. At school, my friends still react to me normally, nothing special.

Who does Vu admire most in basketball?

- Currently, the person I admire the most is Nguyen Tien Thanh - my coach. Thanh used to play professional basketball, playing for Thang Long Warriors. After that, he got injured and had to take a long break. On the team, Thanh shares his experiences so that we can learn from him.

Among the basketball players of the same age as Vu, who impressed you the most?

- The person who has the most influence on young basketball at the moment is probably Thai Quang. But I haven't had much chance to interact with him.

Nam sinh 16 tuổi cao 1,78m gây sốt tại giải bóng rổ học sinh Hà Nội - 2

Nam sinh 16 tuổi cao 1,78m gây sốt tại giải bóng rổ học sinh Hà Nội - 3

Does Vu feel pressured when many people highly appreciate him and have high expectations for him in each match?

- No, because playing basketball will have times when you win and times when you lose, even the best person will have times when they fail. I only play for my teammates, for everyone and try my best to bring back the best results.

After Vu won MVP when he was only a 10th grader, many people discovered that he was very similar to Quang 8 at Chu Van An High School before. What do you think about this?

- I was compared to Quang 8 because I won the student championship when I was in 10th grade and also won MVP. There might be some connection but in terms of basketball skills, each person has a different style so I think they are not too similar.

Nam sinh 16 tuổi cao 1,78m gây sốt tại giải bóng rổ học sinh Hà Nội - 4

Nam sinh 16 tuổi cao 1,78m gây sốt tại giải bóng rổ học sinh Hà Nội - 5

In the future, does Vu intend to pursue professional basketball or have another direction?

- My goal is to pursue basketball and develop myself, to raise my level to a new level like VBA. If given the opportunity, I also want to have the opportunity to compete abroad. In Asia, my desired destination is probably the Philippines, and even further, Canada or the US.

Besides basketball, what other passions does Vu have?

- I like to travel to peaceful and quiet places. The place I want to visit most is Europe, especially Germany.

Does Vu like using social networks?

- I don't like any noise so I don't use social networks too much. I prefer listening to music or just relaxing.