On September 21, Beijing time, the Nets officially announced that they had signed a two-way contract with Cui Yongxi, which also means that after 6 years, the NBA finally has Chinese players. The last Chinese player to play in the NBA was Zhou Qi, who was last seen in the NBA on October 31, 2018.
Cui Yongxi became the seventh Chinese player to land in the NBA. Let's take a look back at the NBA resumes of the last 6 -
1. Wang Zhizhi
In 1999, he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks for the 36th overall pick in the second round, and officially entered the NBA in the 2000-01 season. He was the first Chinese player to set foot in the NBA, which was groundbreaking and historic, allowing more domestic players to see the possibility of playing in the NBA.
Wang Zhizhi is tall and has more delicate basketball skills. The interior is nimble, has a certain ability to play on the back, and has the ability to shoot from mid to long distance, which can open up space for the team on the offensive end.
Played for the Mavericks, Clippers and Heat
Career stats: Played in 137 regular season games, averaging 4.4 points and 1.7 rebounds per game
2. Battle
He signed with the Denver Nuggets as a free agent in 2001 and officially landed in the NBA in the 2001-02 season. He won a championship ring with the Spurs in 2003.
Battle is tall and strong, has an obvious strength advantage, has a certain confrontation ability on the inside, and is good at rebounding and defending inside.
Played for teams: Nuggets, Spurs and Raptors
Career stats: Played in 46 regular season games, averaging 3.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game
3. Yao Ming
In 2002, he was drafted by the Houston Rockets as the top pick and began his NBA journey in the 2002-03 season.
As a representative of Asian basketball, Yao Ming has achieved great success in the NBA, which has greatly enhanced the influence of Asian basketball in the world. His games have attracted a large number of Chinese fans to the NBA, and have made important contributions to the promotion and development of the NBA in the Chinese market. With his humility, diligence and tenacity, Yao Ming has earned the respect of United States fans and teammates, and has become a bridge for sports and cultural exchanges between China and the United States.
Played for the team: Rockets
Career stats: Played in 486 regular season games, averaged 19 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.9 blocks per game, was selected as an All-Star 8 times, was selected to the NBA All-NBA Second Team 2 times, and was selected to the All-NBA All-NBA First Team 3 times 3 times. In 2016, Yao was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Rockets have retired his No. 11 jersey.
4. Yi Jianlian
In 2007, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 6th round in the first round. The 2007-08 season began with the NBA.
Yi Jianlian is the first Chinese player to go through the draft process on the spot, and he moves fast, has strong confrontation ability, and has a soft shooting touch. Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian's Chinese derby was the basketball event of the year.
Played for teams: Bucks, Nets, Wizards, Mavericks
Career stats: Played in 272 regular season games, averaging 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
5. Sun Yue
In 2007, he was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 40th overall in the second round. Debuted in the NBA in the 2008-09 season.
Sun Yue is a tall guard with all-round skills, and although he didn't have many opportunities to play with the Lakers, the season he played for, the Lakers won the championship, and Sun Yue also got a championship ring.
Played for: Lakers
Career stats: Played in 10 regular season games, averaging 0.6 points and 0.2 assists per game.
6. Zhou Qi
In 2016, he was selected by the Houston Rockets in the 43rd overall in the second round. Debuted in the NBA in the 2017-18 season.
Zhou Qi's rebounding and blocking ability is good, but his confrontation ability is slightly insufficient, and he didn't get too many opportunities to play in the Rockets.
Played for the team: Rockets
Career stats: Played in 19 regular season games, averaging 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.
Let's wish Choi Yong-hee a firm foothold in the NBA arena and get a more secure regular contract as soon as possible, and hope that more players in China can improve themselves and continue to attack the NBA.