In a historic turn for Chinese basketball, Kyle Anderson, an accomplished NBA player, known in China as Li Kai’er, has become the first-ever naturalized player in the country’s basketball history. The 29-year-old New York native, who stands tall at 2.06 meters, is now set to represent China at the upcoming FIBA World Cup slated to commence on August 25, bringing a fresh wave of excitement to the sporting community.
Anderson, currently a forward/guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, has had an impressive tenure in the NBA since he entered as a first-round pick in 2014. The late announcement of his Chinese nationality marks a substantial development in his career, and was shared in a video on Chinese social media, where he expressed his honor and excitement to represent China.
Yao Ming, the NBA hall of famer and current CBA president, met with Anderson to acknowledge this milestone. Yao emphasized that the naturalization of Li Kai’er aligns with both Chinese regulations and the relevant FIBA rules. His addition to the team, Yao believes, could significantly aid the Chinese men’s basketball team, given Anderson’s exceptional skills and NBA experience.
In his ninth NBA season, Anderson has shown consistent performance, averaging 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists across 68 games in 2023. His recent addition to China’s national basketball team’s talent pool signifies that Anderson can commence playing for China once recruited by the national team. Anderson celebrated the news on his Instagram, showing his enthusiasm and readiness to don the No.5 Team China jersey.
Anderson’s decision to obtain Chinese nationality is deeply personal, as his great-grandfather hailed from Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong Province. In 2018, Anderson and his mother visited their roots in Shenzhen, a trip that Anderson describes as one of the best moments of his life. He was given the Chinese name Li Kai’er by a Chinese elder cousin during the trip.
Anderson’s naturalization is seen as a new beginning for Chinese basketball. Experts believe that his versatility and high basketball IQ will provide a significant boost to Team China’s prospects in the 2023 World Cup, where only the top-performing Asian team can secure direct qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Anderson joins a growing roster of naturalized athletes choosing to represent China, a list that includes Olympic champion freestyle skier Gu Ailing, ice hockey player Brandon Yip, and short-track speed skating brothers Sandor Liu Shaolin and Liu Shaoang. With a deep connection to his Chinese lineage and a profound love for Chinese culture, Anderson is ready to contribute to the legacy of Chinese basketball.
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