video: Rookie Wang Zhelin, “the next Yao Ming”, is starting out hot in CBA

Not interested in the potential title battle between Beijing and Guangdong, or teams like Qingdao who are keen to ride their star imports to glory?

Never fear, the new CBA season promises to be brimming with excitement whichever way you look and particularly keep an eye-out for the young, emerging Chinese players.

Fujian SBS’ rookie center Wang Zhelin, 18, has attracted as much media focus as Tracy McGrady and Gilbert Arenas since the preseason camps started.

The 2.14-meter center, who has been unfairly labeled as the “next Yao Ming” in some quarters, will finally show off his talents in the top domestic league after coming off a fine performance at the Nike Hoop Summit in April.

Still, he plans to approach his highly anticipated debut season coolly and calmly.

“I won’t think too much (about the future). All I will think about is trying hard to help the team win games and getting better step by step,” said Wang, who was praised by the media during his three-month trial with the national squad before the London Olympics.

Another young giant worthy of scrutiny is Dongguan Leopard’s forward Li Muhao, who is obviously tall (2.18m), mobile and has great shooting range and composure.

Benefiting from the club’s aim to nurse local youngsters, Li, 20, has improved his power and skills under the guidance of Australian head coach Brian Goorjian and shows great potential to stand tall for China in the future.

Luo Hanchen, who earned the Best Guard award at the Asian Under-18 Championships, is also an intriguing player to watch. He will join Li in leading Dongguan’s youth brigade.

Guangdong’s rookie shooting guard, Gao Shang, an U18 teammate of Luo, and Shandong’s sophomore swingman Ding Yanyuhang, 19, are among other promising young guns who are keen to grow in the CBA.

“Improved performances from the younger generation are definitely anticipated this year,” said Liu Xiaonong, vice-chairman of the CBA. “Their growth is the key to our national team making breakthroughs at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.”

via Local young guns ready to fire|Other Sports|chinadaily.com.cn.

Update: In the early part of the season, Wang Zhelin has been putting up 20+ points and 10+ rebounds a game against some of the league’s top imports. Watch his CBA highlight reel,
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/pq0yxlMoCEw/?resourceId=0_06_02_99