Officially ending an 18-year career! It's over, no more basketball Spring Festival Gala.

Han Dejun has retired.

Actually, back in early May this year, on the night Liaoning was swept 3-0 by Guangsha in the semifinals, Han Dejun openly acknowledged in a livestream that he might retire.

Born on May 10, 1987, Han Dejun is 38 years old this year. He joined the CBA in 2007 and retired in 2025, marking an 18-year career entirely with the Liaoning team. He achieved a rare one-player, one-city career, winning 4 championships, being selected twice for the domestic second-best lineup, and making 12 All-Star appearances. Additionally, Han won two National Games gold medals for Liaoning.

According to statistics, Han Dejun played 600 regular-season games for Liaoning, averaging 12.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game; in the playoffs, he appeared in 104 games, averaging 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.

Notably, Han Dejun had multiple chances to leave Liaoning for other clubs offering higher salaries. The Beijing team offered him 5 million yuan annually in 2012 and a 10 million yuan salary plus Beijing residency in 2016, but he refused both times, choosing loyalty instead.

Regarding his national team career, Han Dejun only had three opportunities to wear the Chinese men's basketball jersey, participating in the 2023 World Cup Asian qualifiers, 2019 World Cup Asian qualifiers, and the 2017 Asia Cup. He played a total of 12 games, averaging 7.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.

With Han Dejun retiring, Guo Ailun being traded to the Guangzhou team, Zhang Zhenlin traded to Shanghai, and Li Xiaoxu gradually ending his player career while serving as player-coach... the familiar Liaoning team will never be the same. Fortunately, Zhao Jiwei stayed with a 4-year class D max contract, though it's unlikely he will experience championship glory again, mainly leading the team through rebuilding.

In contrast, Liaoning's longtime rival Guangdong still harbors strong championship ambitions. This summer's off-season saw aggressive recruitment, including acquiring Cui Yongxi and Jiao Boqiao from Guangzhou, restoring them as one of the top championship contenders.

It must be said, the fierce Liaoning-Guangdong rivalry that dominated the CBA Spring Festival Gala for years is unlikely to be seen again for a long time, resembling a clash of titans that won't easily repeat.