The revamped Chinese squad will play Serbia, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan in Group C.
Call him Li Kaier. Yes, that is the Chinese name of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson. On Monday, it was announced that the nine-year NBA veteran has obtained Chinese citizenship and will thus be a naturalized player for the Asian powerhouse. Whether or not he’d be suiting up for the FIBA World Cup was not yet confirmed.
A day later, however, Anderson himself did a video recording on his Weibo account to personally say that he will in fact play for China in the upcoming global hoops summit.
“I'm so happy to announce that I will be representing China at the World Cup. Really proud and honored to wear the team China jersey." Anderson said.
His allegiance to China didn’t come out of nowhere. In 2018, the 6-foot-9 hooper made the trip to Shenzen, Guangdong to meet his great grandfather’s relatives and ultimately reconnect with his Chinese heritage.
“It was my second time being there [in China]. But meeting my family, people you share the same blood with on the other side of the world, it's one of the best moments of my life,” explained Anderson as quoted by Closeup360.
That reunion perhaps cemented his decision to become part of the Chinese basketball program.
"I didn't know what to expect, maybe I did, maybe I didn't. But just that I finally do, I want to indulge in the culture now. I want to be a part of it now," he added.
"Full circle moment for my family dating back 100 years!" Anderson also wrote on his Instagram.
This past NBA season, the UCLA Bruins product averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists for the Timberwolves who managed to squeak into the playoffs as the eighth seed in a stacked Western Conference. But more than the numbers, China can rely on Anderson’s ability to take command of possessions using his trademark slow-paced game.
The New York City-born cager has made a name for himself in the NBA by playing at his own tempo and outmaneuvering his more athletic defenders in the process. Basketball fans around the world will now get to see how that particular playing style will translate to the international stage. Just like Gilas Pilipinas, the Chinese national team is vying for a slot in the 2024 Paris Olympics through FIBA’s flagship event.
Keep in mind, whoever ends up as the best Asian squad of the tourney will be awarded a slot in the Paris Games.
So, is Mr. Anderson actually the one who can take China over the hump?
(GM)