CNN —US-born basketball player Kyle Anderson will represent China at next month’s FIBA World Cup after obtaining Chinese nationality, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) announced on Monday.
Anderson is China’s first naturalized basketball player and his addition to the national team roster is considered a huge coup.
Really proud and honored to wear the Team China jersey,” he said.
While a first in basketball, China has acquired a handful of elite athletes with and without Chinese roots through naturalization.
“When I’m in China, I’m Chinese.
Persons:
Kyle Anderson, Li Kaier, “, Anderson, Yao Ming, Yao, ”, Eileen Gu, Gu, heptathlete Nina Schultz –, Zheng Ninali
Organizations:
CNN, FIBA, Chinese Basketball Association, The Minnesota Timberwolves, Weibo, NBA, China, Team USA, China’s, Chinese Super League, Timberwolves
Locations:
China, I’m, Canada, China’s Beijing, Fairview , New Jersey, Philippines, Japan, Indonesia . China, Serbia