The NBA has cited a standing agreement with FIBA as the basis for rejecting Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson’s appeal to play for the Philippines at the Asian Games in Indonesia. According to NBA spokesman Tim Frank, the agreement stipulates that NBA players may participate only in the Olympics, FIBA World Cup, Continental Cup competitions and associated qualifying tournaments.
“Because the Asian Games are not one of those competitions, NBA players are unable to participate,” said Frank. “In accordance with the NBA’s agreement with FIBA, Jordan is welcome to represent the Philippines in the agreed-upon competitions.”
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, who visited Manila last May, explained the restriction to SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in separate overseas phone calls last Sunday morning. SBP president Al Panlilio said the NBA is aware that there are two NBA players in the China lineup for the Asian Games. “This is under investigation,” said Panlilio.
The question is – what is there to investigate? If the NBA rule prohibiting NBA players from participating in the Asian Games is to be applied equally, then the two Chinese players must be barred just like Clarkson. No ifs and buts about it. The NBA must be fair and not discriminate. What applies to the Philippines must also apply to China, regardless of how influential China is to the NBA as the world’s biggest market.
The two Chinese players are 7-1 Zhou Qi of the Houston Rockets and 6-7 Ding Yanyuhang of the Dallas Mavericks. Zhou, 22, is a 7-1 center with an incredible 7-7 3/4 wingspan. He was signed to a four-year contract by the Rockets on July 6, 2017 after being drafted on the second round the year before. Zhou’s contract is valid up to 2020-21. His salary each year from 2017-18 escalates from $815,615 to $1.4 Million to $1.6 Million to $1.8 Million. As an NBA rookie last season, he averaged 1.2 points, 1.2 rebounds and 6.9 minutes in 18 games. In the playoffs, Zhou scored two points in six total minutes over three games.
Ding, 24, is the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) back-to-back MVP. Last season, he averaged 26 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals for the Shandong Golden Stars. Ding inked a contract to play for the Dallas Mavericks last July 23 and according to China Daily, is expected to be in the Mavs lineup for the NBA China Games in October. Dallas and Philadelphia will play two preseason games in Shanghai on Oct. 5 and Shenzhen on Oct. 8.
Both Zhou and Ding suited up for China at the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup in Changsha and the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the Changsha final, China beat the Philippines, 78-67, with Zhou collecting 16 points and 14 rebounds in 32:39 minutes and Ding compiling nine points, two rebounds and three assists in 21:16 minutes.
NBA legend Yao Ming, the CBA chairman and FIBA Central Board member like Tatum and MVP, is Zhou’s role model and mentor. “Yao’s NBA experience has helped Zhou become more mature,” said a report on CGTN.com. “As Yao also played for Houston during his career, they had lots to talk about. Yao encouraged the young star to play calm.”
Zhou vowed to lead China to the gold medal in the Asian Games. “I have talked with Chairman Yao who understands because he only came second in the Asian Games (in 2002) and I only came in fifth place (in 2014),” he said. “I will do my best to help us become champions.” China’s roster for the Asian Games lists 6-1 Tan Yuxiang, 25, 6-8 Abudushalamu Abudurexiti, 22, 6-9 Dong Hanlin, 27, 6-4 Zhao Tailong, 28, 6-2 Sun Minghui, 22, 6-9 Yu Changdong, 26, 6-4 Liu Zhixuan, 27, 6-3 Fang Shuo, 27, 6-4 Zhao Rui, 22, 7-0 Wang Zhelin, 24, Ding and Zhou.
Wang was picked on the second round by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2016 NBA draft but never joined the team. That was the same draft where Zhou was chosen, marking the second time in NBA history that two Chinese players were selected in the same year. The first came in 2007 with Yi Jianlian and Sun Yue. In all, 10 Chinese players have been drafted by NBA teams. The pioneer was Song Tao who was chosen on the third round by Atlanta in 1987. Then came Wang Zhizhi in 1999, Yao Ming in 2002 and Xue Yuyang in 2003.