Is Kyle Anderson Chinese? Timberwolves’ forward all set to represent China at 2023 FIBA World Cup
Kyle Anderson to represent China at 2023 FIBA World Cup as maternal roots allow him to do so.
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Kyle Anderson (Credits: CNN)
Kyle Anderson is back in the NBA headlines and the reason this time isn’t his slow movement. Instead, it is about his ethnicity and cultural roots. As recently the basketball world was shocked by the news of him being on track to be naturalized for China to represent the country at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. And, as China only allows players who have blood relations in China and have a cultural identity to represent China, it clearly means that Kyle Anderson is Chinese.
But honestly, he isn’t completely Chinese. As Kyle Anderson was born in NYC and has spent most of his early life living in New Jersey getting his academics done. But according to his family tree, he is one-eighth Chinese. Because his maternal grandmother had a Chinese father.
Kyle Anderson’s mother spent years tracking down their distant relatives in China. And, through DNA tests she even found them. And, Anderson along with his mom even visited his great-grandfather’s village in Shenzhen, in 2018.
Timberwolves’ Kyle Anderson to represent China at 2023 FIBA World Cup
Kyle Anderson’s maternal roots have given him a pass to represent China at the World Cup. But his road to the World Cup isn’t easy. The former NBA legend, Hall Of Famer and CBA president, Yao Ming has reportedly made it “non-negotiable” that any player to be naturalized must have blood relations in China, and “cultural identity”, according to South China Morning Post.
And, now with the Minnesota Timberwolves postseason run ending as the Denver Nuggets pulled down the curtains on them by winning the series at 3-1. It’s now time for him to travel to China to be naturalized in order to represent China at the World Cup. Also, as China doesn’t allow dual nationality, Kyle Anderson will have to renounce his US citizenship which he got by birth. The Timberwolves star also has a Chinese name, Li Kaier given to him by his cousin Li Tianping in 2018 during their reunion at Xinmu New Village, Longgang, Shenzhen.
He can be a great addition to the Chinese Team and have a great role as a veteran because of his experience at NBA. Kyle Anderson this year suited up for 69 games with the Timberwolves. And, there he averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 4.9 assists while shooting 41.0% from downtown and 50.9% from the field.
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Ritik Malik
(1743 Articles Published)