It's Official! Cui Yongxi and the NBA: A Testament to the Chinese Basketball Association’s Supportive Spirit

The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) recently made a significant announcement that could have a lasting impact on Chinese basketball’s presence in the NBA. Cui Yongxi, one of China’s brightest young talents, is set to embark on a journey that could see him playing in the NBA as early as the 2024-2025 season. Alongside him, Yang Hansen, another promising player, is also preparing for a potential future in the NBA, while Zeng Fanbo returns to his club for injury recovery. This development not only highlights the individual aspirations of these players but also showcases the CBA’s evolving approach to nurturing and supporting talent.

The phrase "When you're called up, you must come; after coming, you can ask for leave," perfectly encapsulates the CBA's stance on player participation in the national team. The organization recently announced that Cui Yongxi and Yang Hansen would be allowed to leave the national team's training camp to pursue personal development opportunities abroad. Zeng Fanbo, dealing with an injury, was also granted permission to return to his club for rehabilitation. This kind of flexibility and understanding from the CBA is a significant departure from the rigid, often nationalistic approach that many sports associations around the world take. It demonstrates a human touch—an understanding that the players' personal growth and career aspirations can sometimes align with broader goals.

Cui Yongxi’s journey is particularly noteworthy. After receiving an Exhibit 10 contract from the Portland Trail Blazers, Cui has a chance to prove himself during the preseason. The Blazers’ preseason schedule, which kicks off on October 12th, includes matchups against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, German club Ratiopharm Ulm, and the Utah Jazz. These games will be crucial for Cui, as he looks to convert his Exhibit 10 contract into a two-way deal before the start of the regular season. Even if he doesn’t make the full-time NBA roster, Cui is expected to spend the majority of the upcoming season in the G League, where he’ll have ample opportunity to showcase his skills and continue his development.

Cui's journey to the NBA is not just about personal ambition; it’s also about setting an example for the next generation of Chinese basketball players. The Guangzhou Long-Lions, Cui’s CBA team, fully support his decision to stay in the U.S. and continue pursuing his NBA dream. The team is currently in a rebuilding phase, and Cui’s absence provides them with an opportunity to restructure and focus on their long-term goals. This mutual understanding between the player and his club is a positive sign, reflecting a more progressive approach to player development within the CBA.

Yang Hansen, another rising star, is also seizing his opportunity to train and develop abroad. After being granted leave from the national team, Yang traveled to Australia with his teammate Duan Angjun to participate in a special training camp organized by the NBA. According to Liu Weiwei, the head coach of the Qingdao Eagles, where both players currently play, this training camp will last until the end of the month. Duan Angjun, a versatile and highly talented player, has already made a name for himself in the CBA Summer League, where he averaged 21.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game, earning the Finals MVP award. With Yang Hansen likely entering his final season with the Qingdao Eagles before declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft, Duan is poised to become the new face of the franchise.

Yang Hansen’s decision to train abroad is not just about preparing for the NBA; it’s about pushing his boundaries and testing himself against the best. His impressive performance in the NBA Summer League has already caught the attention of several NBA teams, with the New Orleans Pelicans scouting him closely. One Pelicans scout even went as far as to say that if Yang were to enter the NBA Draft, he would almost certainly be selected, and could even have first-round potential. This bodes well for Yang’s future, as the 2024-2025 season could very well be his last in the CBA. If he succeeds in making the leap to the NBA, it will mark a significant milestone not just for Yang, but for Chinese basketball as a whole.

While Yang Hansen’s future in the NBA is still a few years away, all eyes are currently on Cui Yongxi, who has the best chance of any Chinese player to step onto an NBA court next season. If Cui performs well in the preseason or excels in the G League, he could earn a two-way contract or a 10-day deal, potentially making his NBA debut during the 2024-2025 season. His journey to the NBA is reminiscent of another young player chasing his dream—Yuki Kawamura of Japan. Kawamura, like Cui, has chosen to pursue his NBA dream over the security of a lucrative contract in his home country. Kawamura recently signed with the Memphis Grizzlies and is expected to spend most of the upcoming season in the G League. The two players are no strangers to each other, having faced off earlier this year during the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, where Kawamura led Japan to victory over Cui and the Chinese national team.

Both Cui and Kawamura embody the spirit of chasing one’s dreams, even at the expense of comfort and security. They have each taken significant risks, leaving behind the familiarity of their domestic leagues and the financial stability that comes with it, to pursue their passion for basketball at the highest level. Their determination to succeed, despite the challenges, is commendable and serves as an inspiration to young athletes around the world. The decision to step outside one’s comfort zone and face the unknown is never easy, but it is often the path to greatness. In this sense, Cui and Kawamura are modern-day pioneers, paving the way for future generations of Asian basketball players to dream bigger and aim higher.

The decision to allow these players the freedom to pursue their NBA dreams is a testament to the CBA’s evolving philosophy. The association recognizes that the domestic league, while competitive, has its limits. For players like Cui Yongxi, Yang Hansen, and others, the only way to truly reach their potential is to challenge themselves on a global stage. This forward-thinking approach is what sets the CBA apart and positions it as a key player in the development of basketball talent in China.

One needs only to look at Li Yueru, who is perhaps the most compelling example of how stepping outside the confines of the domestic league can lead to tremendous growth. Li, who has dominated in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA), took a significant step in her career by moving to the WNBA, where she has continued to hone her skills against the best players in the world. Her experience in the WNBA has not only improved her individual game but has also elevated her status as one of the top players in international women’s basketball. Li’s journey mirrors the path that Cui and Yang are currently on, and her success serves as a beacon of hope for those who dare to dream big.

As the preseason approaches, the focus will be on Cui Yongxi and his quest to make an impact with the Portland Trail Blazers. His performance in the upcoming games could be the deciding factor in whether he secures a spot in the NBA this season. For Cui, this is not just about making a name for himself—it’s about representing Chinese basketball on the world stage and inspiring the next generation of players to follow in his footsteps.

In the end, whether Cui Yongxi, Yang Hansen, or any other Chinese player makes it to the NBA is not just a personal victory but a collective win for Chinese basketball. The CBA’s willingness to support these players in their pursuit of international success is a sign that the association understands the importance of global exposure and the benefits it brings to the sport in China. By allowing its players to explore opportunities abroad, the CBA is not only helping them grow but also ensuring that Chinese basketball continues to evolve and compete at the highest levels.