The FIBA official issued a statement yesterday (July 24) evening, officially confirming that Kyle Anderson will play as a member of China men's national basketball team in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) announced Tuesday that Anderson has acquired Chinese citizenship and met with Yao Ming, the CBA president and a Rocket Hall of Famer.
According to domestic media reports, Anderson will leave for Slovenia and join the national team the moment he officially gets his Chinese passport. Anderson's domestic debut will be in the warm-up match in Shenzhen in August, after which he will set out for the World Cup with the team.
As an active NBA player, Anderson has one-eighth Chinese ancestry. Previously experience of visiting relatives in China with his mother serves as a key factor in facilitating his naturalization in China.
Throughout Anderson's NBA career, he has played for the Spurs, Grizzlies, Timberwolves and other teams, in each team as the starter or main substitute of the line-up.
At present, the national team talent pool on the official website of the CBA has updated the information of Anderson, including his personal comprehensive information and advanced data evaluation. According to the data displayed from the talent pool, Anderson is 30 years old, 2.06 meters tall, 104 kilograms in weight, and has the position of a power forward (PF).
Anderson posted a short video on social media to greet fans after the naturalization procedure was completed.
"My name is Li Kaier, I am super pleased to announce today that I will represent China in the World Cup. It is my great pride and honor to be a national player for China. Thank you for your support!" he said.
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