In the world of basketball, the NBA is undoubtedly the temple in the hearts of many players, and every basketball teenager dreams of showing his strength there. Not every player selected can or wants to step into the hall.
For example, Wang Zhelin, a Chinese basketball leader, was drafted by the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies in 2016 but never stepped onto the NBA.
In contrast, Zhou Qi, another Chinese player who was drafted in the same year, although he briefly broke into the NBA, eventually chose to return to China for development. And Choi Yong-hee, the young player's NBA dream seems to be even more out of reach, and he has never even crossed the threshold of joint tryouts.
Wang's example is particularly striking. As the 57th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, his selection sparked widespread discussion. Why would a player who has a chance to make it to the NBA choose to stay in the country?
Is it a lack of confidence in one's own strength, or a fear of the NBA's brutal competition?
Or does he have other plans and plans? Behind all this, it is not only a matter of personal choice, but also reflects the difference in the development speed of Chinese basketball and the world's basketball, as well as the huge difference in the basketball environment at home and abroad.
The story between Wang Zhelin and the NBA began on an ordinary night in 2016, when he didn't know that he had been drafted by the Grizzlies with the 57th pick.
He did not voluntarily sign up for the NBA Draft, and according to the rules at the time, professional players over the age of 22 were automatically eligible to participate in the NBA Draft.
The news of Wang Zhelin's "selection" is like a surprise knocking on the door in the middle of the night, but it also has indescribable complex emotions.
Wang Zhelin's basketball career started in China, and his performance in the CBA is impressive, and with his height and technique, he is already one of the best centers in China.
The NBA is about much more than physical and technical, it's about speed, explosiveness, and a higher level of tactical understanding.
Although the Grizzlies gave him this opportunity out of optimism about his potential and the Chinese market, Wang himself did not seem to be in a hurry to take the step.
What does a low draft pick mean? For Wang, the 57th pick is almost tantamount to losing the draft, and such a position brings too much uncertainty to his future.
In the NBA, low-pick players often face tremendous pressure and extremely limited playing time, and Wang Zhelin's style of play and body shape have been gradually eliminated by the trend of the small-ball era at that time.
His speed and agility were not far from the fast transitions and high-intensity confrontations that were popular in the NBA at the time.
Inspired by his predecessor Yi Jianlian's experience in the NBA, Wang Zhelin may also be weighing risks and benefits.
Yi Jianlian had hoped to return to the NBA after the 2016 Olympics and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. After a series of preseason trials, Yi Jianlian found that it was difficult to adapt to the rhythm and intensity of the NBA game, and finally chose to return to China.
This scene undoubtedly had a certain psychological impact on Wang Zhelin.
Now Wang Zhelin has become a leader on the CBA stage, and his performance is stable and excellent, helping the team win many honors.
Although the aura of the international stage is attractive, it is also a rare and valuable choice to be able to play stably in China.
Wang Zhelin's decision is, to a large extent, a sober understanding of his own ability and future development. He understands that not everyone can find their place in the NBA, and his success in the CBA is enough to prove his worth.
Wang's decision not to go to the NBA may also have been influenced by market and business factors. As an important player in China's basketball market, his commercial value in China may far exceed his potential revenue in the NBA.
In China, he already has a solid fan base and advertising contracts that he may not have been able to obtain in the NBA.
Not every fork in the road to pursuing your dreams requires courage to move forward.
Sometimes the wise choice is to weigh the pros and cons and choose the path that works best for you.
Wang Zhelin's story teaches a lesson for all dreamers: understand yourself, recognize reality, and choose the most suitable development path for yourself.