The road to the Paris Olympics just got tougher for Gilas Pilipinas.
China added an elite player into its fold.
Minnesota Timberwolves standout Kyle Anderson switched allegiance to Beijing through naturalization, the China Basketball Association (CBA) announced.
Call him Li Kaier from now on.
The addition of the 29-year-old forward from New York is a timely boost for the world’s no. 27 team. Anderson is fresh from a playoff stint with the Timberwolves as they got the boot at the hands of eventual champions Denver Nuggets in the first round.
FIBA posted on its social media accounts a picture of Anderson with NBA and Chinese legend Yao Ming.
“Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (Li Kaier) officially obtained Chinese citizenship and is now eligible to play for the national team, according to the CBA on Monday,” the post’s caption read.
It’s not clear, though, whether he will lace up for the Asian juggernaut in the FIBA World Cup in Manila next month.
China is in Group B with South Sudan, Serbia, and Puerto Rico, and could potentially face the Group A team Gilas Pilipinas in the second group stage or the classification phase.
The best Asian team from to emerge from the World Cup will get a safe passage to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
Gilas is set to intensify its preparations for the event dubbed as "The new Thrilla in Manila" when it plunges into action in a pocket tournament in China from August 2 to 7.
The national team got a much-needed shot in the arm when Kai Sotto, fresh from an NBA Summer League stint, returned to Manila a couple of days ago. There's no confirmation yet but he is expected to join the team's training soon.
(GM)