On April 25, Beijing time, with the completion of the phoenix team's last regular season game of the season, "where did Zhou Qi go" also became the most concerned topic for fans! According to Song Xiang, a reporter from Beiqing Daily, in the middle of this season, several NBA teams inquired about Zhou Qi's situation, and the Pacers contacted Zhou Qi recently and invited Zhou Qi to participate in the team's summer training camp.
The Pacers made it clear that if Zhou Qi performed well in the training camp, then the team would provide him with a matching contract. This season, Zhou Qi played 24 games for the Phoenix in the NBL, averaging only 21 minutes per game, with 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Zhou Qi's contract with the Phoenix team is 1+1, and the player option for next season.
Zhou Qi's data is not outstanding enough, mainly due to the decline in playing time and tactical status. In the first four regular season games of the season, Zhou Qi played more than 29 minutes in two games, and he had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocks, 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks! In the three games of the regular season finale, Zhou Qi played 19 minutes, 21 minutes and 17 minutes.
Zhou Qi shot 64 percent from the field, but averaged only 7.38 shots per game. South East Melbourne Phoenix, with 15 wins and 13 losses, ranked sixth in the regular season and ultimately missed the playoffs. The Phoenix wanted to keep Zhou Qi and sign a new contract with him, but Zhou Qi himself did not make a decision, and it is likely that he will choose to leave the team at present.
Of course, Zhou Qi has been plagued by fouls in some games, resulting in not having much playing time. But even when he wasn't bothered by fouls, he couldn't get the ball on the court! Many teams in the NBL rely on three-point shooting, the offensive tactics are simple, and Zhou Qi can only turn back and run. At key moments in the fourth quarter, he was often left on the bench by the coach.
This season we often see such a picture: the Phoenix defenders rushed to shoot, Zhou Qi relied on his own fight to rebound in the front court, and the second attack won! At the beginning of the season, the Phoenix team promised to give Zhou Qi the position of tactical core, which the coaching staff obviously did not do. Zhou Qi is not an individual incapable, and his performance on the floor can beat most of the NBL centers.
Of course, zhou Qi also grew in a season in the NBL, and his low singles, basket confrontation and frontcourt rebounding ability have improved. Now Zhou Qi has several options in front of him: stay in the NBL to join other teams, go to the Europa League, return to the CBA, go to the NBA summer training camp to try... So the question is: how will Zhou Qi choose?
According to reports, Zhou Qi plans to return to China in early May, and after quarantine according to regulations, report to the national team and start training to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers in June and the Asian Cup in July. In the third window of the World Preliminary Round, the Chinese men's basketball team played Australia for the first time (June 30). Men's Basketball Asian Cup, China's first game against South Korea (July 12).
The Asian Cup will end on July 24, after which the Chinese men's basketball team has another event: from September 10 to 25 this year, the Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou. The NBA's summer league will be played in July and August, with schedules clashing. Zhou Qi has said many times that his priority is to play for the national team, so the probability of him impacting the NBA this summer is unlikely.
Zhou Qi was born on January 16, 1996, in the 2016 NBA Draft, and he was selected by the Rockets with the 43rd pick. At that time, Zhou Qi was not mature enough to successfully gain a foothold in the NBA. He played 19 regular-season games, averaging 6.6 minutes per game and scoring just 1.2 points and 1.2 rebounds. On December 18, 2018, the Rockets officially cut Zhou Qi.
No matter which league he plays in next season, Zhou Qi must continue to improve his strength! After all, he is only 26 years old, and there is still room for improvement! Come on!