In the already concluded NBL regular season, Zhou Qi's Southeast Melbourne Phoenix team finally ranked 6th, missing the playoffs this season, so he also officially ended the NBL journey this season. Before joining the Phoenix, Zhou Qi signed a 1+1 maximum salary contract with him, and Zhou Qi had the right to whether to execute the contract for next season. Prior to this, the Phoenix team has very strongly expressed that they want Zhou Qi to stay in the team, but judging from the way the Phoenix team plays this season, it is difficult for Zhou Qi himself to make a decision to stay in the team to continue to play.
This season, Zhou Qi has played in 24 regular season games, averaging 21 minutes per game, contributing 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2 blocks, shooting 63% from the field. Although the personal play has always been very eye-catching, before joining the Phoenix team will also get the commitment that the Phoenix will use it as a core player, but this season Zhou Qi did not get the tactical position and playing opportunities matching his ability, and this is contrary to his original intention to join the NBL this season, the most important reason for Zhou Qi to join the Phoenix team is to hope to improve his own level through a higher level of the league, so as to get the opportunity to return to the NBA in the future.
It is worth mentioning that gold will always shine, although this season's NBL journey is not very perfect, but according to basketball reporter Song Xiang, more than one NBA team has asked Zhou Qi about zhou qi and his future playing ideas in the middle of this season. What is certain is that the Pacers, a weak team in the NBA's eastern reconstruction, have issued an invitation to join Zhou Qi, saying that if Zhou Qi can go to training camp in the summer, they are willing to provide such an opportunity. At the same time, if Zhou Qi can play a convincing performance at the training camp, then the Pacers will provide him with a matching contract.
For Zhou Qi, this is undoubtedly a perfect opportunity to return to the NBA, which is one of the reasons why he joined the NBL, and now that the opportunity has emerged, Zhou Qi himself is definitely very willing to seize it. But it is worth mentioning that Zhou Qi currently plans to return to the national team in May to participate in the training of the Chinese men's basketball team, this year's Chinese men's basketball team will participate in the men's basketball Asian Cup and the World Preliminary Tournament in June and July, and there is the most important event of the Asian Games this year in September.
People go to high places, water flows to low places, and it is foreseeable that even if Zhou Qi chooses to join the Pacers training camp, he may not be able to get a formal contract. Even if he gets a formal contract, he may not be able to get a fixed playing time, but the dream is always there, and for a dreamer like Zhou Qi, the fans of course hope that he can seize every opportunity to impact the bigger stage. In short, no matter what choice Zhou Qi makes, as one of the facades of the Chinese men's basketball team, I hope that he will be all right.