NBA star Kyle Anderson to make China national team debut ahead of Fiba World Cup

Minnesota Timberwolves player likely to feature in game against Cape Verde in mini-tournament in Italy on Friday
Head coach Aleksandar Dordevic believes addition of Anderson ‘necessary’ for team’s success in Philippines next month

FIBA (International Basketball Federation)

Mike Chan

Published: 5:30pm, 31 Jul 2023

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Newly naturalised Chinese citizen Kyle Anderson is expected to make his debut with the national team when they face Cape Verde at a mini-tournament in Italy on Friday.

Since obtaining his citizenship last week, the 29-year-old, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA, has joined the rest of the team for training in Slovenia.

And despite some questions being raised over Anderson’s heritage, head coach Aleksandar Dordevic said the recruitment was “necessary” for the 16-time Asian champions to challenge the world’s best.

“Anderson is of Chinese descent – this is a necessary step if you want to get results,” he said. “We are all aware of the Fiba rules, and everyone wants to use it to their advantage.

“Slovenia had their naturalised player [Anthony Randolph] long ago, so every team are free to naturalise a player.”

Anderson, whose Chinese name is Li Kai’er, averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists last season, and Dordevic said he had waited a long time to have the nine-year league veteran at his disposal.

Kyle Anderson practising with the Chinese national team in Slovenia. Photo: Li Kai’er Weibo

“I had been waiting for him really – he has long been in my plans, as well as the Chinese Basketball Association,” the Serbian said.

“I hope, with Anderson’s excellent basketball IQ and tremendous abilities, he will add some colour to our game.”

Serbian Dordevic is preparing the team for next month’s Fiba World Cup, where they will face his native country, South Sudan and Puerto Rico in Group B.

While China are unlikely to reach the latter stages of the tournament, finishing as the best Asian side would secure direct qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Coaching China is one of the biggest challenges of my career. This country had some world-renowned achievements in many aspects,” Dordevic said. “I felt the fans’ passion, attention and expectation towards the team.

“We didn’t do too well in recent years, but this team is competitive – we love victories and hate failures. I want to bring this China team to the next higher level.”

Kyle Anderson in action at China’s practice in Slovenia. Photo: China Basketball Team Weibo

Playing in their 10th World Cup, China’s best result was an eighth-place finish in 1994, they also came ninth in 2006. But they finished 24th as hosts at the World Cup in 2019, missing out on the Tokyo Games as a result.

While Japan, who are co-hosting the tournament with the Philippines and Indonesia, will be missing star player Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers, they do have Phoenix Suns stand-out Yuta Watanabe in their ranks.

The Philippines, headlined by Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson and 21-year-old prospect Kai Sotto, are expected to be strong contenders for the automatic qualification spot.

Kyle Anderson (right) speaking to head coach Aleksandar Dordevic upon arriving Slovenia. Photo: China Basketball Team Weibo

At the CBA’s general assembly earlier this month, president and former NBA star Yao Ming said the men’s basketball team’s “top priority” was securing qualification for the Games in France.

Following Friday’s tournament in Italy, China will play another mini-tournament in Germany next week, before hosting Serbia in their final warm-up game in Shenzhen on August 22.

Their first game in the World Cup, which runs from August 25th to September 10, is against Serbia the day after the tournament starts.