If you followed AUS hoops last season, you know the Cape Breton Capers came agonizingly close to their ultimate goal. Guard Liai Tong was right in the middle of it, showing flashes of resilience, leadership and growth in his first year. Coming off an All-Rookie Team selection, Tong looks to put the nation on notice this season.
Early Inspiration and Love for the Game
In our conversation, Tong looked back and reflected on how he first came to love the game.
“They were pioneers for me. I played with them all the time, saw their love for the game, and that created mine. Over time, it turned into something fun, and then into something I could be great at. I decided I loved it and just capitalized on that opportunity.”
Perseverance as a Strength
Looking back on his first season, Tong pointed to perseverance as his greatest asset.
“My biggest strength is my perseverance — the ability to take hard times and make the best of it. Life teaches you that, and I’ve brought that into basketball. It made the hard things easier to deal with.”
That resillience has carried him through setbacks and helped him mature quickly at the university level. Furthermore, he recognizes what he needs to work on to take his game to the next level.
“I definitely need to work on my shot — I know I can get my percentages up. Defensively, I’ll be more aggressive. I’ve put a lot of work into my ball-handling this summer. I think people will be surprised by that.”
Pro Mindset
This past summer, Tong had the opportunity to be around the Edmonton Stingers squad. He discussed the impact working out with professionals had on his development.
“I tried to adapt the mindset and lifestyle of being a pro. Being around great players and seeing how pros operate — their routines, their consistency — it showed me how important longevity is. Consistency and dedication are key. If I can implement those, the sky’s the limit.”
Taking what he learned from the summer – Tong discussed how he already sees himself as a pro in the way that he approaches the game on a daily basis.
“One thing about me: I always think I’m a pro. It shows in how I carry myself — being charismatic, approachable, walking with confidence. Those things off the court make you a better person and connect you to the community. I just need to keep doing them, and eventually, I will be a pro. But right now, I already think like one.”
Message to the AUS
Finally, nearing the end of the interview, Liai Tong had a message for the rest of the conference
“Look out for us — a whole lot. We’ve got new guys who are killers and ready to go, and our old guys are coming back hungry. The end of last season wasn’t what we wanted, but this time we know exactly how to get there. We just have to hold each other accountable and keep trusting one another.”
