announced its withdrawal from the new CBA season, Zhou Qi finalized a new owner and went to Australia NBL to join Southeast Melbourne Phoenix. It is reported that Zhou Qi and Southeast Melbourne Phoenix signed a 1+1 contract, the second year as a player option, the annual salary is 4 million yuan. 4 million yuan is about 619,200 US dollars, which is definitely a sky-high annual salary in NBL. In addition, Southeast Melbourne Phoenix is full of sincerity. Team coach Simon Mitchell said that Zhou Qi will be the core, and team CEO Tommy Greer said that he will do his best to help Zhou Qi realize his dream of returning to the NBA. Obviously, Zhou Qi came to NBL and got the superstar treatment.
Although Zhou Qi is often criticized, his ability is obvious to all. In CBA, Zhou Qi is a foreign aid level. In the Chinese men's basketball team, Zhou Qi is the inside pillar after Yi Jianlian . This year's Olympic failed , Zhou Qi played 19.1 minutes per game, scored 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks. It can be said that with Zhou Qi's ability, it is no problem to gain a firm foothold in NBL. Southeast Melbourne Phoenix's interior is tight, the tallest player in the interior is only 2.06 meters tall, Zhou Qi will definitely lock the starting position. If Zhou Qi can play well in the NBL, then he, the Chinese men's basketball team, and the NBL will all benefit. This will be a win-win-win situation.
Compared with CBA, NBL has a higher level and is more closely connected with the NBA, so naturally it can get the attention of NBA scouts. It can be said that the NBL is a springboard to enter the NBA. In the NBL last season, the 25-year-old Jock Langdale averaged 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per game, and was selected to the All-NBA First Team. Coupled with his good performance in the Olympics, this earned him the favor of the San Antonio Spurs and signed a two-year contract worth 2.49 million US dollars. Langdale said bluntly: "The NBL League is the best springboard for players trying to land in the NBA."If Zhou Qi can perform well in the NBL, then he is expected to be invited by the NBA team.
One of the reasons why the Chinese men’s basketball team has been left behind by the world, one of the reasons that cannot be ignored is that it is with the world. There are too few contacts. In the 2019 World Cup and the 2021 Olympics, there are no overseas players in the Chinese men’s basketball team. Looking at the Japanese men’s basketball team, they can continue to improve, thanks to more and more players going to high levels. The development of overseas leagues. Hachimura Base is the main NBA player, Yuta Watanabe has a firm foothold in the NBA, while Majima has become the main rotation player in the NBL. Although the level of NBL is far inferior to the NBL, it is similar to the CBA. The ratio is still much higher. You know, this year’s Olympics, the Australian men’s basketball team has 4 players from the NBL. In the 2017 Asian Cup, the Australian men’s basketball team won 6 games and won the championship with an average of 28.8 points per game. Players in the team They are all from NBL. NBL has a very high confrontation intensity and is in line with FIBA . Therefore, Zhou Qi can be actively trained in the NBL. If Zhou Qi can play well in the NBL, then there may be more Chinese players in the future. Landing in the NBL is undoubtedly very beneficial for the Chinese men’s basketball team.
NBL's influence in the Asian basketball arena continues to increase. The racecourse team won the championship with Melbourne last season. Zhou Qi, Liu Chuanxing , Kai Soto is an active NBL player, and signing Zhou Qi is undoubtedly the most important operation. Southeast Melbourne Phoenix boss Romi Chowdari said: "Signing the Chinese player Zhou Qi is for the Phoenix team and the NBL. These are milestone measures. The introduction of Zhou Qi into the NBL will further expand the international influence of the league and the team and make the Phoenix team an international stage. "If Zhou Qi can succeed in the NBL, it will undoubtedly attract more top Asian players to the NBL. This is undoubtedly what the NBL hopes to see.
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