Beijing Youth Daily reporter learned on the 3rd that Wang Yixiong, a Chinese player who had previously played NCAA in the United States for four years, has returned to China, and he is currently in Isolation in Tianjin. After the quarantine period ends, Wang Yixiong will try out some CBA teams, and he is expected to participate in this year's CBA draft.
Wang Yixiong, a Beijing kid who is currently 2.06 meters tall and weighs 108 kilograms, spent most of his time playing for Fulton State University in California, where he played in the fourth and fifth positions. He is physically strong, has a strong ability to resist, and also has a certain amount of long-range shooting and even three-point projection kung fu. Wang Yixiong is seen as a popular candidate for this year's CBA draft. A reporter from Beiqing Daily conducted an exclusive interview with Wang Yixiong on the 3rd.
Why did you play NCAA for four years before you came back?
Beiqing Daily: Some Chinese players who have played NCAA before, including Zhang Zhenlin, Ou Junxuan and others, have chosen to return to the CBA after playing for a year or two, why did you play for four years before you came back?
Wang Yixiong: Maybe the situation of each player is different. For me, four years of college is not just about playing ball, it's also about completing my studies. In the past four years, I have gained every year, and it has also made me a better version of myself and preparing for the next CBA game.
I remember in the first year of NCAA, I didn't get a lot of playing time and spent most of my time on the bench. I spent my high school in Spain, but in fact, in the process of connecting high school to university, I did not have a very clear plan at that time, but trained in a relatively vague state. In my sophomore year, my playing time increased a lot, and my position also came to the starting point, and I felt that the change between freshman and sophomore year was that I was more focused on what I could bring to the team, and I improved in many aspects such as psychology and concentration.
In my junior year, the team's coaching staff changed, the team system, playing style changed, this year I was mainly adapting to the team's new system. In my senior year, due to the impact of the epidemic, the team did not have a long training time, more time was for me to train with the trainers, and at the same time I further improved my three-point shooting ability, I think each of these four years has a different significance.
Who are the most admired players?
Beiqing Daily: What has been the rhythm of reading, training, and competition in the United States over the years?
Wang Yixiong: Living and playing in the United States is very regular. Every day is basically class, training, eating, writing homework, and practicing, the rhythm is very tight, and there is no time to do other things. It's about scheduling all the time and doing what needs to be done. We usually get up at 7:30, go to class at 8:30, leave class at 12:00 noon, and then go to practice a little strength, almost until 1:30 pm. Our team's training time is basically 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the offseason and season training times will be different. Next, I have to go back to my homework around 6 p.m., and when I get to eight or nine o'clock, I will go to the gym to practice shooting for about 45 minutes.
Beiqing Daily: How much do you know about the CBA in the United States over the years, and what are your favorite players?
Wang Yixiong: I can also see some CBA games in the United States. The player I admire the most is Yi Jianlian, as the most influential player in Chinese basketball at present, whether it is the degree of hard work in training, or the degree of investment in the game, the degree of concentration, the desire to win and many other aspects, it is worth my good study, I have watched a lot of his games.
What are your advantages in landing on cba soon?
Beiqing Daily: Many people don't understand your characteristics, what are your own advantages?
Wang Yixiong: I don't think it's about the advantage, it depends on what you can bring to the team. First, I think my physical fitness is OK, the confrontation and strength are not bad, and I can help the team in defense. Second, I improved my three-point projection ability even further in my senior year. Third, I played NCAA for four years, and I felt that I had a clearer understanding of basketball tactics, coaching requirements, etc., and I felt that I could quickly understand the coach's intentions and better implement his requirements on the court.
Beiqing Daily: Soon to land on the CBA, what are your expectations for yourself?
Wang Yixiong: I think it is a great honor to be able to enter the CBA. I hope that I can actively integrate into the atmosphere of the league, do my best in the team system, and help the team. In the future, I hope to be an All-Star player, of course, I hope to be able to enter the national team one day and play for the country.
Text/Reporter Song Xiang