Deepen your understanding!, Li Kaier: I am very eager to see my teammates as soon as possible. Meaning | China | Li Kaier
On July 24th, the Chinese Basketball Association officially confirmed that basketball player Li Kaier had obtained Chinese nationality on the same day. Li Kaier officially became the first naturalized Chinese men's basketball player. As the official broadcaster of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, China Mobile Migu conducted an exclusive interview with Li Kaier at the first time. Li Kaier reviewed the details of his joining the Chinese men's basketball team and provided prospects for the upcoming journey.
Li Kyle revealed that he received an invitation from the Chinese Basketball Association around the beginning of January 2023, but at that time he was focusing on the NBA season of the Timberwolves. After the end of the season, he discussed with his family and team and confirmed to join the Chinese men's basketball team in just one week. He didn't think it would take long to make that decision and was excited about it. "My grandparents were born and raised in China. With such a special opportunity, I must seize the opportunity to play for the Chinese men's basketball team." Lee Kyle said.
Although Lee Kyle grew up overseas, he is of Chinese descent and his great-grandfather was born in China. In 2018, Li Kyle went to Shenzhen with his mother to find relatives. In the process of Li Kyle's growth, his sense of identity with Chinese culture and basketball has gradually increased, and he is eager to return to the motherland to develop his basketball career. The Chinese Basketball Association has previously stated that blood and cultural identity are important considerations for naturalization of Li Kyle, and in the end the two sides will meet each other.
Lee Kyle said he made this momentous decision at the age of 30. "It's not just a question of being able to play FIBA for a national team in the summer. I have grandparents from China. Although he moved to other places, he was originally from China. I think it's a reincarnation. I'm playing for China again in a few hundred years, which means a lot to me. Although I have never met that relative, I think they will smile for my choice. I hope to make them proud of me."
Li Kaier has rich competition experience and superb technical skills. His joining will undoubtedly enrich the tactical system of the Chinese men's basketball team, bring more offensive methods and defensive abilities to the team, and help the team strive for good results in this year's men's basketball World Cup and qualify for the Paris Olympics. After successfully naturalizing, Li Kaier will join the Chinese men's basketball team as soon as possible to prepare for the World Cup. Li Kaier expressed a great desire to meet his teammates as soon as possible, establish contact with them, and deepen understanding.
There are still some days until the official start of the men's basketball World Cup on August 25th. Prior to this, Li Kaier will also travel to Europe to meet with the Chinese men's basketball team and represent them in warm-up matches, including the International Solidarity Cup on August 20th. The opponent is Serbia, the top opponent in the group stage, and the match is held in Shenzhen - which happens to be Li Kaier's hometown in China.
Appearing in front of "Shenzhen elders and fellow villagers", I hope this will be a good start for Li Kaier's connection with the Chinese men's basketball team; I hope that Li Kaier and the Chinese men's basketball team can quickly develop a good chemical reaction, making the prospect of advancing to the Paris Olympics clearer, and thus opening a good beginning for the exploration of Chinese basketball naturalization.
