Serbia’s Aleksandar "Saša" Djordjevic has been appointed as the new head coach of the Chinese men’s basketball team ©Getty Images

Serbia's Aleksandar "Saša" Djordjevic has been appointed as the new head coach of the Chinese men's basketball team, with an aim on making the Paris 2024 Olympic Games tournament.

Djordjevic coached his country to a runners-up finish at the 2014 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup in Spain and also to a silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

He last guided Serbia in China, at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, stepping down after his team finished in fifth place.

"It is a great honour to become a head coach of the Chinese men's national team,” Djordjevic said on social media.

Serbia’s Aleksandar
Serbia’s Aleksandar "Saša" Djordjevic has been appointed as the new head coach of the Chinese men’s basketball team with the task of reviving their fortunes for Paris 2024 ©Getty Images

"Big professional challenge accepted with the highest enthusiasm that equals my personal humbleness and responsibility.

"A lot of work ahead to try to achieve the highest goals possible."

Djordjevic will lead China in the sixth and final window of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in February.

China has already earned qualification for the FIBA World Cup after winning eight of their 10 games in Group F so far.

At the 32-team event to be staged in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines; China will attempt to bounce back from finishing 24th in 2019 - its lowest final standing ever at the tournament.

China last year missed out on Tokyo 2020 - its first absence from the Olympics since 1980.

Last year, the nation had its second-worst result at the FIBA Asia Cup too, finishing eighth.