A Silver lining to NBA philosophy

Commissioner committed to developing China's talent

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said burgeoning youth development programs and the frenzy generated among fans and media by preseason games in Shenzhen and Shanghai are solid indicators of the league's ever-growing presence in China.

But scaling new heights in the NBA's No 1 overseas market is more about developing a new generation of talent and hardcore supporters than about finding a homegrown successor to the legendary Yao Ming, who retired in 2011, Silver said on Sunday.

"Many people predicted that China's interest in the NBA would decline after Yao Ming retired, but in fact it has continued to grow," Silver said during a roundtable media discussion in Shanghai.

"I think it's not a question of finding the next Yao, but developing the next Yao. To begin working at the youth level to develop great Chinese players, to physically and mentally put them in a position to play basketball at the highest level. That might mean they play for the Chinese national team or in the CBA or, hopefully, in the NBA."

For now, China's best hope is Zhou Qi, a 21-year-old rookie drafted by Yao's former team, the Houston Rockets, in June 2016.

Zhou, who launched his pro career with the CBA's Xinjiang Flying Tigers, signed a multiyear contract with the Rockets in July, becoming the league's sixth Chinese player.

"I'm very pleased to see him with the Rockets," said Silver.

"I'm trying to take some of the pressure off him. Let's give him a opportunity to develop. I know the entire country is focusing on him, but we all have to be realistic in terms of our expectations. Zhou is a young player. It takes a long time to develop in the NBA. But I believe he can truly be a great player. And he has great character as well. I think he is an excellent representative of the people of China."

In two preseason games with Houston, Zhou has averaged 5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

Silver also stressed that not every kid can be fortunate enough to play in the professional ranks, like Yao or Zhou. To that end, the NBA is developing a basketball culture for younger generations through programs like NBA Cares and Jr. NBA.

"The purpose of these programs is to develop a culture around basketball," said Silver.

"We recognize that very few young players, boys or girls, will get to play at the elite professional level, so it's important to grow our fan base."

The recent launch of the NBA Basketball School Mission Hills Haikou, a joint project between NBA China and Mission Hills Resort in Hainan province, underlines Silver's philosophy.

Construction of the school, featuring six indoor courts and elite training facilities, will begin later this year, with completion scheduled for 2019.

Male and female players from junior to pro levels will be mentored by retired former NBA stars and NBA-caliber trainers.

Additionally, NBA China continues to work with China's Ministry of Education to expand a tailor-made basketball curriculum to 2,000 schools across 15 provinces and municipalities this year.

During the 2016-17 school year, more than half a million students from 525 schools across 11 provinces and municipalities participated in basketball classes.

"To put basketballs in the hands of young people is what matters most," said NBA China CEO David Shoemaker.

"It allows children to develop all kinds of skills as well as teamwork, discipline and the ability to deal with winning and losing, and makes them lifelong fans of the game."

Bringing NBA games to China has proven to be the best way to keep fans engaged.

"This marks our 24th NBA game in China," Silver said of Sunday's preseason contest between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. "Since we played our first game here in 2004, we've seen tremendous growth. In fact, according to David (Shoemaker), this past season close to 750 million people in China watched televised NBA games."

Contact the writer at shifutian@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 10/10/2017 page24)