The Story of the First Chinese NBA Player: Wang Zhizhi
Before Yao Ming, there was Wang Zhizhi. This is his story.
If you’re a basketball card fan, perhaps you’ve come across the name Wang Zhizhi and wondered why his cards seem to always be quite expensive. This, despite the fact that he only averaged 4.4 points per game during his 137 game NBA career. Well, read on to find out more about Wang Zhizhi and why he is important in the annals of NBA history.
While Yao Ming may have the fame of being the best NBA player from China, he wasn’t the first Chinese player drafted in the NBA. That historical person is none other than Wang Zhizhi. He was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 36th overall pick in 1999, surprising almost everyone.
When he was drafted, he was actually already on contract with a team in the Chinese Basketball Association, the Bayi Rockets, where he was the guy. They didn’t want to lose him. The Bayi Rockets were in the midst of an historic dynasty in the CBA, so they didn’t let him out of his contract.
Starting with the first season the CBA was formed, in 1995–96, Wang had led his team to win the CBA championship for literally every single year since the league began. From 1995 until 2001, the championship trophy was always in the hands of the Rockets, and Wang Zhizhi was…
