On the 24th, the NBL Phoenix team played by Chinese player Zhou Qi narrowly defeated the Wildcats after overtime, and the Phoenix team ranked 6th in the Australian Super League with 15 wins and 13 losses, missing the playoffs (the first 4 entered the playoffs), and Zhou Qi's first NBL season also ended. Zhou Qi has played in 24 regular season games this season, averaging 21 minutes per game, contributing 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and giving 2 blocks. Such average data may be somewhat different from the outside world's expectations, but considering the competitive environment and quality of the Australian League, Zhou Qi's average data this season is still handy. Through this season's conquest and training, Zhou Qi has improved himself in many aspects, such as he is more adapted to the high-intensity confrontational competition environment, and then like the low-level singles technology has been upgraded again.
Before this season, Zhou Qi signed a 1+1 contract with the Phoenix, and Zhou Qi had the right to choose whether to execute next season. Although the Phoenix team has very strongly expressed the idea of renewing Zhou Qi's contract and given a sincere renewal price tag, it is difficult for Zhou Qi to continue to play for the Phoenix team next season. The Phoenix's use of Zhou Qi this season is not as they promised before, using Zhou Qi as the tactical axis of this team, although zhou Qi missed some games due to some injuries and physical reasons, but in the case of good physical condition and game status, Zhou Qi still has some important times to be pressed on the bench, which is really incomprehensible. Therefore, it is difficult for Zhou Qi to return to the Phoenix team next season. So, the next question is where will Zhou Qi go?
One of the important reasons why Zhou Qi decided to go to Australia to play this season is that he hopes to further improve his ability through higher level of league training, so as to lay a solid foundation for possible return to the NBA in the future. In Zhou Qi's heart, returning to the NBA is one of his goals. NBA scouts are very concerned about the performance of Australian league players, and their performance is more likely to enter the scope of NBA team selection of players. This also happened to Zhou Qi.
According to the Beijing Youth Daily reporter, more than one NBA team has asked about Zhou Qi and his future thoughts in the middle of this season. Most recently, the NBA Pacers also threw an olive branch to Zhou Qi — they said they were willing to provide such an opportunity if Zhou Qi could go to training camp in the summer. 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, such a road is undoubtedly a process of continuous breakthrough. However, considering the mission of the Chinese men's basketball team in this year's event, the 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 year in September, the Asian Games, and the possibility of Zhou Qi playing the NBA again this summer is not too big.
According to the plan, Zhou Qi will return to China from Australia in early May, and after quarantine in accordance with the corresponding epidemic prevention policies and regulations, he will join the Chinese men's basketball team for training and preparation, Zhou Qi has always regarded national effectiveness as the primary goal of his career, which also plays the most critical role in his choice of where he will play in the future.
So will Zhou Qi return to the CBA? Objectively speaking, this is a good choice. Zhou Qi's ability, role and experience make him still a player in the CBA, the first choice for teams to compete, and a player who can change the CBA pattern. At the same time, returning to the CBA allows Zhou Qi to have more time to enter the training and preparation of the Chinese men's basketball team after the end of the season, and he can also better play his role in the national team and make more contributions to the team. These are undoubtedly good things for the Chinese men's basketball team.
But Zhou Qi's return to the CBA and which team to choose, there are still many important influencing factors. So, at least for now, returning to the CBA is a good option, but he also has other options. For example, some European teams have also taken a keen interest in Zhou Qi and are also asking about Zhou Qi.s situation. Where Zhou Qi went is undoubtedly a matter of great concern this summer.
Text/Beiqing Sports Song Xiang