China’s ‘Big Liu’ Chuanxing moves to NBL, Zhou Qi to follow: reports

Chinese 2.26m centre becomes tallest player in history of Australia’s National Basketball League after joining Brisbane Bullets

Contract rebel Zhou Qi reported to be close to deal with South East Melbourne Phoenix after refusing to play CBA this season

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Liu Chuanxing (No 21) of the Qingdao Double Star Eagles in action against the Bayi Rockets during the 2019-2020 Chinese Basketball Association. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 2:37pm, 7 Sep 2021Updated: 2:37pm, 7 Sep 2021

Chinese basketball player Liu Chuanxing has signed for the NBL’s Brisbane Bullets with reports suggesting that his China national teammate Zhou Qi will follow him to Australia.

Zhou, who has refused to play for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the upcoming Chinese Basketball Association season over a contract dispute, is finalising a deal with the South Melbourne Phoenix, according to New York Times reporter Marc Stein.

This came after reports in Chinese media that the former Houston Rockets signing was headed to Australia’s National Basketball League. The 25-year-old had also been linked with the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League.

“Ex-Houston Rockets and China NT centre Zhou Qi is finalising a deal to join the Southeast Melbourne Phoenix in Australia’s NBL, sources say,” Stein wrote in a Tweet.

“Zhou would join Ryan Broekhoff, Mitch Creek and Xavier Munford as former NBAers on the roster,” he added.

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