In the 2024 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies selected 22-year-old Chinese center Zhou Zhihao with the No. 9 pick in the first round. The news caused an uproar in the basketball world, as if a bombshell had exploded over the court. Zhou Zhihao, a young player known as "Chinese Little Yao Ming", officially stepped on the NBA stage with expectations and dreams. His addition has undoubtedly injected a formidable force into the Grizzlies' interior line.
Let's take the time back to March Madness in 2024. In the NCAA finals between Purdue University and the University of Connecticut, Zhou Zhihao acted like a real fighter. Although Purdue ultimately lost 60-75 to defending champion UConn, Chow's performance in that game was breathtaking. He slashed 37 points and 10 rebounds in the game, like an unstoppable scoring machine. That night, Zhou Zhihao proved his strength and potential to the world with his performance.
During the entire March Madness, Zhou Zhihao contributed an average of 29.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game, and was selected to the NCAA Crazy Three All-Star Team without any suspense. Every dunk he makes, every defense he defends, it's like he's paving the way for his future. The fans in the stands cheered for every wonderful moment of him, as if Zhou Zhihao had become a hero in their hearts.
At last year's draft, Zhou Zhihao chose to withdraw due to poor draft prospects. However, fate always favors those who work hard. With his super performance in March Madness this year, Zhou Zhihao's draft market has soared, from being predicted to be a rookie at the end of the first round, to now counterattacking to become the No. 9 pick in the first round. This was not only a victory for him, but also a resounding slap in the face from all those who had ever doubted him.
The Grizzlies had planned to draft C-Connect's two-time center Klingen via trade, but were eventually snatched away by the Trail Blazers. In desperation, they chose Zhou Zhihao. Perhaps, this is exactly what fate has arranged. The arrival of Zhou Zhihao has injected a new vitality into the Grizzlies.
With a height of 2.24 meters, an arm span of 2.41 meters and a weight of 136 kilograms, Zhou Zhihao is a traditional inside tower player. His physical condition and technical characteristics are reminiscent of former NBA star Yao Ming. Because of this, Zhou Zhihao is known as "Chinese Little Yao Ming". However, to reach Yao Ming's heights, he still needs to put in a lot of effort.
His NBA template is considered to be Zubac, a practical interior player. This pointed the way for his future development. How to gain a foothold in the fierce NBA arena is the first test that Zhou Zhihao needs to face.
With the addition of Zhou Zhihao, the Grizzlies' lineup has been further enhanced. As the team's new interior centerpiece, he will work with Morant to contribute to the team's championship journey. Morant, as a core player for the Grizzlies, has performed well in recent years, and his passing ability and breakthrough ability will complement Zhou Zhihao's interior dominance well. The duo are expected to spark in the new season and lead the Grizzlies to higher goals.
It is conceivable that in future games, the combination of Morant's precise passing and Zhou Zhihao's strong interior attack will create countless wonderful moments. Grizzlies fans can't wait to see this combination on the court.
Although Zhou Zhihao's performance in the NCAA is extremely good, his future after entering the NBA is still full of unknowns. The pace and intensity of the game in the NBA is much higher than that of the NCAA, and he needs to adapt and improve his skill and physical fitness as soon as possible. At the same time, as a Chinese player, Zhou Zhihao also shoulders the responsibility of breaking down racial barriers and fighting for opportunities for more Chinese players.
"Whether I can succeed in the NBA is something I've been thinking about," Zhou said in an interview, "but I believe that with hard work and the support of the team, I will be able to achieve my dream." His eyes were determined and full of hope for the future.
Zhou Zhihao's performance on the field is undoubtedly worth looking forward to. With a stellar experience at Purdue, he will face even more competition in the NBA. Against those top interior players, his physicality and basketball IQ will be put to the test. The Grizzlies' coaching staff is also working on a detailed workout plan for him to help him adapt to the pace of the NBA as soon as possible.
Chow's debut will undoubtedly attract a lot of attention. Fans are looking forward to seeing how he shows what he's capable of in the NBA, where there are plenty of strong players. Every offense, every defense, will be an opportunity for Zhou Zhihao to prove himself.
In the 2024 draft, in addition to Zhou Zhihao, there are many rookies who have attracted much attention. Klingen at the University of Connecticut is one of them. As a target originally planned by the Grizzlies, Klingen was eventually snatched away by the Trail Blazers. The two rookies at the center will inevitably be compared in the future of the game.
Klingen's strength lies in his athleticism and versatility in attack, while Zhou is known for his strong interior dominance and solid defense. The matchup between the two will become a major attraction in the NBA in the next few years. Who will be the better interior player? It's a suspense to look forward to.
Standing at the starting point of the NBA, the road ahead of Zhou Zhihao is full of challenges and opportunities. As a rising star for the Grizzlies, he carries the huge expectations of the team and fans. Whether it's the combination with Morant or the dominance on the inside, he will prove himself with his actions.
In the future competitions, we look forward to seeing Zhou Zhihao's wonderful performance on the field. Can this "Chinese Little Yao Ming" write a new legend in the NBA? Let's wait and see.