Objective: This study aimed to examine the predictive effect of coach-athlete relationship (CAR) quality on training engagement (TE) and shooting skill improvement (SI) among adolescent basketball players, as well as the potential mediating role of TE in this relationship. Methods: A total of 128 basketball players aged 16-18 years (including 83 males) were recruited. The Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q) was used to assess CAR, the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) measured TE, and a 100-shot stationary shooting test was used to evaluate SI at both pre- and post-season. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, hierarchical regression, and structural equation modeling (SEM). The significance level was set at a = 0.05. Results: CAR was significantly positively correlated with both TE (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and SI (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). After controlling for gender and competition experience, CAR remained a significant predictor of TE (ß = 0.48, p < 0.001) and SI (ß = 0.31, p = 0.002). TE partially mediated the relationship between CAR and SI (ß = 0.14, 95% CI [0.06, 0.24]), accounting for 46% of the total effect. The SEM showed a good model fit (x2/df = 1.86, CFI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.072). Conclusion: A high-quality coach-athlete relationship not only directly enhances training engagement in adolescent basketball players but also indirectly facilitates shooting skill improvement over the course of a season by increasing training engagement.
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