When you started the Angels basketball team this year, what did you want to accomplish? The goal of this team is to help people who need help, such as those that were victims of the earthquake or orphans in this country. Right now, there isn’t a formal league established yet, but we’re hoping once it is formed, through the league we’ll be able to educate and help. Right now, it’s just my team doing the contributing with some of our dues money.

When do you think you’ll be able to start the basketball league? After the Chinese New Year, we want to start an official league. There are hundreds of “friendly” teams like us around Beijing, but we’re trying to form an A-team league with a four-team playoff system. The way it is now, it’s about getting everyone playing, not really about being competitive.

What kind of people are on the team and how often are you playing? Everyone on this team is my friend. Every Wednesday and Saturday we come to the center and play a game. The only way we play games against outside opponents is if we invite them. It is more of a friendly game. We don’t have a set schedule. We don’t even do playoffs. We’ve kept it simple.

How does someone get involved with the Angels? To get on this team, you have to play a couple of times and then you’ll get an invitation back. The point of this team and league is getting people who are really interested in the game, not simply whoever shows up. That being said, anyone with a warm heart is welcome to join.

Zachary Franklin