Zhou Qi’s blockbuster Chinese basketball trade ends a 719-day saga just in time for World Cup
- Zhou joins Guangdong from Xinjiang after long-running contract dispute, with Zhao Rui going the other way in swap deal
- Chinese Basketball Association heavily involved in talks, with importance of Olympic qualification proving to be crucial
The Chinese Basketball Association has helped negotiate a buzzer-beating, blockbuster trade deal for star player Zhou Qi, removing the distraction of the long-running saga surrounding his future just in time for the World Cup and the Asian Games – with Olympic qualification on the line.
It has been 719 days since the 27-year-old former Houston Rockets star last played in the CBA, amid a contract dispute with his club, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
But in an “earthquake-level” transaction, as one fan put it on Chinese social media, Zhou has joined Guangdong Souther Tigers, with fellow national team star Zhao Rui going the other way to Xinjiang.
“I’m very excited to join Guangdong Hongyuan, which has a profound heritage,” Zhou said in a video posted to social media. “I hope to go all out to hit the championship and play in Hongyuan’s spirit in the new season.”
During his two years out of the league, Zhou spent time playing in Australia’s NBL with South East Melbourne Phoenix. But he returned home to China last December, looking to find a new club so he could get match fit for the World Cup, which will take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10.
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The trade was announced by the CBA on Weibo in a statement on Saturday. Zhou has reportedly signed a one-year deal, while Zhao has signed for three years at his new club, with both to be paid the league’s maximum salary.
“Xinjiang Guanghui and Guangdong Hongyuan negotiated in a friendly way, and fully respected the wishes of the players, and reached an agreement on August 18,” the CBA statement said.
“Within the framework of the relevant policies and rules, all parties have unified their thinking, met each other halfway, sought common ground while reserving differences, and reached cooperation after repeated communication.
“This cooperation is inseparable from the guidance, help and support of people who love and care about Chinese basketball. We hope that all athletes will give back … with their outstanding performances, and dedicate wonderful games to the fans.”
Zhou’s future had been the subject of intense speculation since leaving Australia, as the build-up to the World Cup intensified, with the importance of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics proving crucial.
Former Serbia national boss Aleksandar Djordjevic was brought in as head coach in November, in the hopes of formulating a high-level, European-style training plan for the team.
NBA star Kyle Anderson – or Li Kaier, as he has taken for his Chinese name – of the Minnesota Timberwolves has also been naturalised as a Chinese citizen.
“The Basketball Association has done almost everything that should be done, and it is up to the players themselves to strive for Olympic qualification,” one commenter wrote on Weibo.
“I am still in shock,” another wrote. “Not only because a swap between two national players has rarely happened before, but also because the CBA personally announced the transaction.
“Now the time is special, and the Chinese Basketball Association has only one goal, which is to get tickets to the Paris Olympics in the World Cup.”
