NBA star Kyle Anderson eligible for 2023 FIBA World Cup after gaining Chinese citizenship
The Minnesota Timberwolves forward is expected to suit up for the People’s Republic of China at the Basketball World Cup. The tournament will feature 32 teams competing for the Naismith trophy and qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Basketball
Minnesota Timberwolves basketball star Kyle Anderson could represent the People’s Republic of China at the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup after it was officially announced he obtained citizenship through naturalisation.
In a post on its official Weibo account, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) confirmed that 29-year-old Anderson had gained citizenship:
“[Anderson] obtained Chinese nationality this morning and met Yao Ming, chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association,” the CBA said.
According to reports Anderson’s maternal grandmother was born in Jamaica to a Chinese father and a Jamaican mother.
Citizenship leaves open a path for Anderson to join China’s roster for the Basketball World Cup tipping off on 25 August in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. FIBA allows teams to have one naturalised player on their roster.
Anderson was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 30th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He had spells at the Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies before finding a home at the Minnesota Timberwolves alongside France’s Rudy Gobert and Canadian Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who have also been named to squads for the World Cup.
Head coach Aleksandar Dordevic had previously announced a preliminary 18-man squad in June for the World Cup, but there is still time for the NBA player to make the final 12 with final rosters to be officially confirmed after a technical meeting just ahead of the tournament start.
As well as bidding for the Naismith trophy, China will also be hoping to secure a spot at next year’s Paris 2024 Olympics. The top finishing team from Asia at the tournament will directly qualify for the Games.