Recently, the major event in the Chinese basketball world is undoubtedly the naturalization of Li Kyle. And this matter has also been updated with the NBA Timberwolves out of the playoffs. According to the famous American media "NBA Central", Li Kyle at the end of the season will fly to China next and join the Chinese men's basketball national team. Soon, Chinese basketball official Weibo also confirmed the news.
I believe that fans who usually pay attention to the NBA are very familiar with Li Kyle. The English translation of the latter name is Kyle Anderson, who is 2.06 meters tall and plays as a striker on the field. In 2014, Anderson was selected by the Spurs with the 30th pick in the first round. Over the next few seasons, Anderson gradually grew into the team's main rotation, and he was dubbed "the essence of human creep" by fans because of his slow pace.
In recent seasons, Anderson has played for the Grizzlies and Timberwolves, respectively. In the regular season this year, he averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks in 28.4 minutes per game. Although he played only 4 games in the playoffs, he also contributed 8.5 points, 4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.8 steals. Although the Timberwolves only play the role of a backup, Anderson's forward, who can play both the No. 3 position and the No. 4 position, is exactly what the Chinese men's basketball team needs.
So, why did Kyle Anderson join the Chinese men's basketball team?
It turned out that Anderson was one-eighth of Chinese ancestry, and his maternal great-grandfather was a Chinese. As early as 2018, Anderson returned to Shenzhen Xinmu New Village with his mother to recognize his ancestors, and the eldest brother in the family also named him Chinese, that is, Li Kaier. Li Kaier's mother has a very big wish, that is, she hopes to see her son play for the Chinese men's basketball team. And this wish, with the past two months, the Chinese Basketball Association put the policy of naturalization on the agenda, and is about to become a reality.
At present, the basketball association has basically negotiated with Li Kyle about naturalization, including salary. In an interview with Chinese basketball reporters some time ago, Li Kyle said that he would leave for China after the end of this season. Now, with the Timberwolves eliminated, Chinese fans will soon be able to meet Lee Kyle.
You know, Li Kyle's naturalization is completely different from the men's team's Axon, Gaulart and others, because the former has Chinese ancestry, so fans are more willing to accept it. What's more, now naturalization is actually the general trend of Chinese sports, in addition to football, there are also many successful cases of ice and snow projects, which also gives the basketball association more confidence.
Considering that there is a basketball World Cup in August this year, it is likely that the World Cup will be his debut if all goes well in the next few months. At that time, the starting five of the Chinese men's basketball team will also be Zhao Jiwei, Cui Yongxi, Zhang Zhenlin, Li Kaier and Zhou Qi, this lineup is balanced inside and outside attack and defense, and full of vitality, which is worth looking forward to!