Record 90 players to enter 2021 CBA draft
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E-mail Xinhua, July 4, 2021
A record number of 90 players are set to enter the CBA's draft this year.
According to a list published by the CBA's governing body, 90 players have passed verification of their registration materials and gotten a green light to enter this year's draft, which will be staged in eastern China's city of Qingdao on July 18.
The list features 45 players from the Chinese University Basketball Association (CUBA) league, including some prominent names such as the CUBA's all-time leading scorer Li Zhanglin from the Central South University and Peking University forward Zhao Boqing. Wang Yixiong from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is another one that draws huge attention from observers.
A total of 250 players have completed their application submission, which also is a new high since the league's draft debuted in 2015.
The league has benefited from the diversity in recruiting talented and quality youngsters in recent years, compared the older method of elevating players from the club's junior team in the pasts.
Wang Shaojie is one of the players breaking into professional basketball league from universities. Coming from Peking University, Wang was selected by the Beijing Royal Fighters with top draft pick in 2019. He averaged 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in rookie season, and improved his personal stats to 11 points and 6.9 boards last season. Wang has recently represented team China at the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers and Olympic qualifying tournament.
Like Wang, his schoolmates Guo Kai, Zhu Mingzhen and Zhang Ning also have a role to play in the CBA, which has witnessed growth of other draftees such as Jiang Yuxing, Yuan Tangwen and Zhu Songwei.
The Fujian Sturgeons was awarded the No. 1 draft pick this year at a ceremony in April, while the Nanjing Monkey Kings and the Shanxi Loongs took away the second and third picks respectively.
The draft ceremony is set for July 18.
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