As the highest level of professional basketball in China, the CBA league attracts the attention and support of countless fans every year, but recently, a shocking news came out that a once strong team announced that it would withdraw from this season's competition, and the players also collectively applied for retirement, what is going on?Why did this team make such an amazing decision?Where will their players go from here?Among them, the most concerned is Zhang Zhenlin, the young player of the Liaoning team, known as the future star of the Chinese men's basketball team, will he choose to join the NBA and follow in the footsteps of Zhou Qi?Let's unravel the mystery together!
The team that announced its withdrawal from the CBA is the Xinjiang Guanghui men's basketball team, which used to be a giant in the CBA, with many outstanding players at home and abroad, and won the CBA championship in the 2016-17 season, and is also Zhou Qi's parent team. However, since Zhou Qi's departure, the strength of the Xinjiang team has begun to decline, finishing only eighth last season, and this season is even more difficult, so far, they have won only eight games and lost 15 games, ranking third from the bottom, with little hope of making the playoffs. In this case, the Xinjiang team suddenly issued an announcement, announcing its withdrawal from this season's competition, withdrawing from the CBA league, and pointing the finger at Zhou Qi and the Chinese Basketball Association.
The content of the announcement is roughly as follows: due to Zhou Qi's unfair ruling from the Chinese Basketball Association in the contract dispute with the Xinjiang team, the interests of the Xinjiang team have been seriously damaged. Therefore, the Xinjiang team decided to withdraw from this season's games, withdraw from the CBA League, and no longer participate in any activities of the Chinese Basketball Association, and reserve the right to pursue the legal responsibility of the Chinese Basketball Association and Zhou Qi.
As soon as this announcement came out, it immediately caused an uproar, and all parties expressed their opinions on it, some thought that the Xinjiang team was making excuses for their failures, some thought that the Xinjiang team was fighting for the interests of their players, some thought that the Xinjiang team was speaking out for the reform of the CBA league, and some thought that the Xinjiang team was making a lot for Zhou Qi's stay. In any case, this move of the Xinjiang team is undoubtedly a huge impact on the CBA league and a severe test for Chinese basketball, which will have a profound impact on the future of the CBA, it will change the CBA's power balance and competition pattern, it will bring more suspense and excitement, and it will allow CBA fans to enjoy more basketball charm and fun.
In this turmoil, the most concerned is Zhang Zhenlin, the young player of the Liaoning team, known as the future star of the Chinese men's basketball team, will he choose to join the NBA and follow in the footsteps of Zhou Qi?Zhang Zhenlin, born on January 28, 1999 in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, is the son of Wang Fang, a famous Liaoning women's basketball team. [1] In 2013, Zhang went to Oregon to participate in the training program of the American Basketball Academy. [25-26] On April 1, 2017, the top seed of the DICKS National High School Championship La Lumière High School and Montverde High School met in the finals, and Zhang Zhenlin, a small forward from La Lumière High School, became the first Chinese player in history to reach the final of the tournament and eventually won the championship with the team. [5] In 2018, Zhang joined the NCAA Tulane University basketball team. [2-3] On September 10, 2020, Zhang Zhenlin was officially promoted to the Liaoning first team and signed a two-year rookie contract. [4] In the 2020-21 season, Zhang Zhenlin was selected to the All-Star North District starting lineup[14], and was selected as the MVP of the losing side of the All-Star Sharp Game[17][20], the champion of the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest, and was selected to the All-Star Second Team. [18][21-22] In the 2021-22 season, Zhang Zhenlin was selected to the All-Star North Division starting lineup and won the CBA championship with the Liaoning team. [31][38] In the 2022-23 season, Zhang Zhenlin was selected as the CBA Domestic Player of the Year Team and won the CBA championship with Liaoning. [62][69] On June 28, 2021, the official website of FIBA updated the list of 12 Chinese men's basketball team Olympic qualifiers, and Zhang Zhenlin was listed. [27] In July 2022, Zhang represented the NBA Phoenix Suns in Summer League. [43]
Zhang Zhenlin's basketball talent and strength are undoubtedly a great asset of the Chinese men's basketball team. In terms of defense and other aspects, he has reached the international first-class level, he can show amazing dominance in the CBA league, whether it is against domestic players or foreign aid, he can also compete with the world's top players in the international arena, he can also attract the attention of NBA teams in the summer league, he is the core of the Chinese men's basketball team, and he is also a popular candidate in the NBA, his future is full of infinite possibilities. However, will Zhang Zhenlin choose to join the NBA and follow in Zhou Qi's footsteps?