Zhou Qi continues to make his mark on Australia’s National Basketball League. Just four rounds into the season and Zhou has been shortlisted for the NBL’s Best Defensive Player award, alongside veteran Will Magnay and Orlando Magic guard Tahjere McCall, who is making waves with the Cairns Taipans. In his relatively short time with South East Melbourne Phoenix, “King Qi” as he is called by fellow Phoenix teammate Mitch Creek, has been named player of the game twice – the latest being against Sydney Kings where he recorded 17 points and 13 rebounds. “We might have to start a new statistical category for ‘shots altered’ as well because [Zhou] Qi would fill that up every single night,” NBL said on its website. “It must be a nice feeling being a guard on the Phoenix to know that if you get beat on the perimeter, Qi has got your back.” 🍿 It's been a while since you've seen us play Phoenix fans, so here's the best highlights from our first 4 games of the season. 🤗 pic.twitter.com/rH06FhJNQG — South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) December 29, 2021 The 2.16m centre, who signed with Phoenix in September, grew up in Xinxiang, and played for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association from 2014 up to the first franchise championship in 2017. He led the CBA in blocked shots in 2015 and 2016 (2nd in 2017) and was the best defensive player in the CBA in 2016 and 2017. Earlier this month Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell hailed him as a “jewel in the crown” of Australian basketball. “He’s such a good kid, he’s such a good player, he’s a jewel in the crown of this league,” Mitchell said. Off court, Zhou’s antics have become a source of amusement and pride for his followers on Weibo. Zhou’s regular video updates show him enjoying life in Australia, treating his teammates to hotpot, teaching them how to use chopsticks and play pingpong. It has been almost two weeks since Phoenix last played and, like most teams in the NBL, are now facing extended leave with Covid-19 infections disrupting play. Last weekend’s game against the Illawarra Hawks was postponed after positive Covid-19 cases were returned from the Hawks and a match-up against Adelaide 36ers on January 2 has also been postponed.