China’s Zhou Qi picked in NBA Draft
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| Image from Rappler.com |
The draft marked the first time that two players from China got selected, as Wang Zhelin was also drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies.
The 7’2″ Zhou, a vital cog of the Chinese national squad that beat Gilas Pilipinas in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship final, was picked 43rd. He was among the 26 international players who heard their names called in the annual draft.
He was chosen by no less than the Rockets, a team that has a huge following in China. The NBA club still enjoys popularity there ever since they drafted Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming with the top overall pick in 2002.
Zhou’s name had been included in mock drafts, although some had expected him to be chosen in the first round.
Some NBA scouts have expressed doubt about the readiness of the 20-year-old Zhou whose lanky frame could see him struggle in elite NBA action.
Zhou was recognized as the best center of the FIBA Asia tilt last year where China edged out the Philippines for a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics. He also played alongside Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche at the Chinese league’s Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
Like Zhou, the 7’0″ Wang has also been part of China’s past campaigns in the international scene.
Their partnership formed China’s young “Great Wall” which proved to be an important factor in last year’s FIBA Asia.
source: interaksyon.com
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