Choi Yong-hee was undrafted in the NBA draft, but immediately signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Trail Blazers and will travel to Portland for summer league and preseason training camp. The Chinese boy's NBA dream journey has excited many fans and triggered thoughts about the prospects of Chinese players competing in the NBA.
To be honest, when I saw the news that Choi Yong-hee was undrafted in the NBA draft, I still "chuckled" in my heart. After all, it is not easy for our Chinese players to show their faces in the NBA draft, let alone be selected. But after thinking about it, it's already great that this guy can break into the NBA draft, compared to playing CBA in China, I don't know how high this wave of operations is!
However, what is surprising is that not long after losing the draft, Choi Yong-hee signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Trail Blazers. What kind of fairy operation is this? Could it be that the Trail Blazers have taken a fancy to the Chinese boy's potential? Or did Choi Yong-hee show his extraordinary strength in the trial? Anyway, this is a rare opportunity for Choi Yong-hee!
When it comes to the Exhibit-10 contract, many fans may not know much about it. To put it simply, this kind of contract is like an "experience card" for an NBA team to a marginal player. While the contract itself is not guaranteed, if you perform well, you may be converted to a two-way contract and even have a chance to enter the NBA's official roster. For a player like Choi Yong-hee who has just stepped into the NBA, this is undoubtedly an excellent platform to show himself.
In retrospect, Cui Yongxi's operation is really a bit of a "no hit, just a hit". Last season, before the end of the CBA, he suddenly announced that he would participate in the NBA draft, and then flew to the United States to participate in the elite training camp of the G League, and tried out for six NBA teams non-stop. This buddy's courage and determination have to be admired!
However, seeing Choi Yong-hee's experience, I can't help but think of other Chinese players who have worked hard in the NBA. From Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian to Zhou Qi and Guo Allen, the path of Chinese players in the NBA always seems to be full of challenges. Some people say it's cultural differences, some say it's different playing styles, and some people say it's physical fitness that can't keep up. But I think the most important thing is probably mentality and preparation.
Take Choi Yong-hee, for example, he said in an interview: "As long as there is a little possibility, I will continue to walk here." This spirit of defying difficulties and daring to challenge may be the key to the foothold of Chinese players in the NBA. After all, in the NBA, the world's highest level of basketball, no one will open up to you just because you are a Chinese player, and every minute of playing time needs to be fought for with strength.
At the end of the day, Choi Young-hee's ability to gain a foothold in the NBA depends on how he performs in the following summer leagues and training camps. But no matter what the result is, his experience has set an example for other Chinese players with dreams: as long as you have a dream, you must be brave to chase it!
Choi Young-hee's NBA journey has only just begun, but his courage and determination have already earned the respect of many. No matter what the future holds, I hope he can shine on the NBA stage and win glory for Chinese basketball. At the same time, I also look forward to seeing more Chinese players like Cui Yongxi who dare to fight hard and show their talents on the NBA, the world's highest level of basketball. After all, the future of Chinese basketball needs more such dreamers!
If you were Choi Young-hee, how would you prepare for the strange and challenging stage of the NBA? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section!