Even with how populated China is, the nation still hasn’t produced as many NBA players compared to certain European nations. Since the inception of the league, there’s only ever been nine players born in China.

Yet, this hasn’t stopped the men hailing from The Red Dragon from leaving their mark on every NBA court they’ve stepped their feet on. Their impact on and off the paint has been profound, captivating the NBA global family and sustaining a bridge between Asia and the league. Their legacy also highlights the growing influence of Asian NBA players and the lasting impact of NBA players from overseas on the league.

Today, we learn a bit more about some of the greatest Chinese players the league has seen. 

Yao Ming 

NBA Ranking: #466

Yao Ming stopped being regarded as just the greatest Chinese NBA player a while back. He’s arguably one of the most important international athletes in sports history. Before the world knew Yao, he began his journey in Shanghai, playing for the Sharks as a teenager, and even had a spot on their senior team for five years in the CBA, winning a championship in his final year. 

Soon after, he, as well as anyone who’d ever watched the teenager play, knew he had the chops to dazzle the basketballing world on a grander scale. 

In the 2002 NBA Draft, Yao was selected by the Rockets as the first overall pick, and with that, came an unimaginable pressure. That still didn’t stop him from dunking on his skeptics. You already know the story from here. He dominated like no one could’ve expected. He reached the NBA playoffs four times, averaging 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game at his peak. 

Anyone who watched Yao week after week would remember those legendary clashes with Shaq. 

Achievements/Resumé

  • Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (2016).
  • 8× NBA All-Star.
  • 5× All-NBA Team Selections (2x Second, 3x Third).
  • NBA #1 Overall Draft Pick (2002).

Yi Jianlian 

NBA Ranking: #1674

Asking another Chinese player or even an international player, for that matter, to follow in Yao’s gigantic footsteps would be asking a lot. Yet, Yi Jianlian leaped into the league and was still able to build a somewhat respected NBA career for himself. What makes Yi’s story even better were all the challenges he had to deal with before making it big. 

As a child, Yi’s parents didn’t see a future where he’d become a great basketball player. Unlike other kids with a love for the sport, young Yi never got enrolled in a sports school. However, a sports school’s basketball coach who saw him playing street basketball and was impressed persuaded his family to allow him to train professionally. And that was it. Some years later, the Chinese is competing against all-American high school players.

The 7-foot forward played in the Chinese League for a while, and even won the CBA Rookie of the Year award in his first year. In the 2007 NBA draft, Milwaukee bit and selected Yi. He stayed in Milwaukee for only a year before moving to the Nets. 

Yi showcased his abilities in flashes here and there. However, he definitely had the brilliance that easily makes him one of the best Chinese NBA players and a national icon. 

Achievements/Resumé

  • NBA Draft: 6th Overall Pick (2007).
  • NBA Rookie of the Month (December 2007).

Wang Zhizhi 

NBA Ranking: #2566

Wang Zhizhi certainly isn’t as popular as Yao Ming or Yi Jianlian. However, he really doesn’t need the fame because his legacy is protected by a monumental first. 

Wang, unlike Yi, grew up in a basketballing home. He’s the son of two former basketball players. So, his path to becoming a pro was all sunshine and rainbows. The 7’1” center enjoyed a 6-year career in the Chinese League until the NBA came knocking. To the surprise of pretty much everyone, the Mavericks selected Wang in the second round of the 1999 NBA draft. 

Wang didn’t have the best of stints at Dallas. His best NBA season came outside of Dallas. With the Clippers, he was averaging 4.4 points per game even in limited minutes. In the end, his NBA numbers are modest at best, but he’s not on here because of that. He makes our list because he opened the door for an entire generation of Chinese players in the NBA. 

In just 137 games played, he had 604 points, 231 rebounds, and 39 assists. He is the original pioneer. 

Achievements/Resumé

  • First Chinese player to play in the NBA (2001).
  • NBA Champion with Miami Heat (2006).
  • CBA Most Valuable Player (1999-2000).

Zhou Qi 

NBA Ranking: #4360

Have you ever wondered what the modern era of Chinese hooping talents has in store for the league? Zhou Qi was a peek into that modern era. 

The center went pro hooping for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association. In his 2016-17 season, Zhou was dropping 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds. After this successful season, everyone knew what his next destination would be. The Rockets made it a certainty when they selected him in the 2017 NBA Draft. 

His time on the grand stage was short, spanning parts of two seasons, but his presence meant that the Chinese flag remained in the NBA post-Yao, which hasn’t been an easy feat. Zhou was the first Chinese player drafted in the post-Yao and Yi era. 

There’s no doubt that he enjoyed more success in the CBA and Australian NBL. However, his draft selection was an important point in the future of Chinese players in the league. 

Achievements/Resumé

  • NBA Draft: 2nd Round, 43rd Overall Pick (2016).
  • CBA Defensive Player of the Year (2017).
  • Asian Games Gold Medalist (2018).

Mengke Bateer 

NBA Ranking: #3460

It’s easy to think Yao Ming was the first Chinese player to wear an NBA ring. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong. That honor goes to Mengke Bateer. 

Mengke started his career pretty early, even though he suffered a few hitches on his way to superstardom. At just 18, he made his debut for China’s National Basketball team. Three years after making his debut for the Chinese National Team, although a regular member, he was kicked off the squad. 

Years later, when he was invited to play in a pre-draft tournament held in Phoenix, he was too jet lagged and didn’t impress the scouts. Mengke would wait two years before joining the Nuggets, as the team were in desperate need of a player with big stature. He was a regular on the teamsheet as he landed in Denver. After only a season on the Nuggets roster, he was traded to San Antonio. Although he played just 12 games for the team, he went home with an NBA ring. The first Chinese player to do so. 

His success, even in such a limited capacity, proved that Chinese players aren’t at all excerpted from that winning NBA culture. 

Achievements/Resumé

  • First Chinese player to win an NBA championship (2003)
  • CBA Most Valuable Player (2008-09)

Conclusion

Of course, when talking about Chinese NBA players, Yao Ming is usually the only name that comes up. However, each of these icons have played their parts in inspiring an entire continent. The NBA is still looking for the next Yao Ming. And the world… will always be waiting for the next great chapter of Chinese players. 

FAQs

How many Chinese players are in the NBA?

There’s currently only a single Chinese-born player on the NBA roster. His name is Yang Hansen. He’s yet to make his debut, though. 

Who is the most successful Chinese basketball player?

That title goes to none other than Yao Ming. A place in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and eight great seasons in the NBA makes this an easy one to call.