Chương 13: Which Chinese American devils play in the NCAA?
The capital of China, headquarters of Sports Weekly.
Su Qun arrived at the office early as usual, methodically making a cup of instant coffee while the office was still quiet. He then sat at his desk, booted up his computer, and began scanning the latest NBA news online. The NBA's influence in China had surged since Yao Ming entered the league as the No. 1 pick last summer, and Su Qun, who was primarily responsible for the basketball section, kept a close eye on the developments across the ocean.
Being proficient in English was the biggest asset of early basketball commentators like Su Qun, Yu Jia, Wang Meng, and others. Their ability to navigate English-language sources allowed them to build their reputations and gain popularity through NBA commentary and interviews, paving the way for their esteemed positions today.
As March rolled in, the NBA regular season was in its final stretch. Every team was fighting intensely to secure a playoff spot or maintain their position. This competitive fervor often resulted in standout individual performances making headlines.
Su Qun took a sip of his coffee, his gaze fixed on the computer screen. His brow furrowed as he read the latest updates.
"We lost again... The Rockets are in a precarious position and might miss the playoffs."
Yao Ming's Houston Rockets were locked in a fierce battle for a playoff berth. Their primary competition was the Phoenix Suns, where Amar'e Stoudemire was making waves. The two teams were neck and neck, with the Rockets slightly ahead in the standings. However, a recent away game loss to the Sacramento Kings had shifted the balance. The Suns had capitalized on the Rockets' defeat with a win of their own, pushing them ahead into the eighth spot in the Western Conference.
With March nearing its end and the Rockets facing a schedule packed with strong opponents, their playoff hopes were fading. As a Chinese citizen and a fervent supporter of Yao Ming, Su Qun was keenly interested in whether Yao's team would make it to the playoffs. A rookie entry into the playoffs would be a significant achievement, bringing national pride.
"Let's see what else is making news…"
Su Qun scrolled through more headlines, his attention briefly diverted. His eyes settled on a section about the NCAA tournament.
"NCAA? Right, it's March Madness season. The NCAA Finals often draw more attention than the NBA. And there's talk about a player named James in this year's draft, who's being hailed as potentially surpassing Jordan. He must be in the NCAA tournament."
Given the growing prominence of American basketball in China due to Yao Ming's influence, Su Qun was familiar with many developments. However, in 2003, the speed of information flow was limited compared to later years. LeBron James, then a high school prodigy, had not yet declared for the NBA Draft, so his prominence in China was minimal. Most people, including Su Qun, wouldn't know that James was still a high school student and not yet participating in NCAA games.
In 2003, while the internet was becoming increasingly prevalent, news about upcoming NBA stars was not as instantaneous as it would be in later years. James's potential as the top pick would soon become widely known, but for now, Su Qun was left with only partial information.
As Su Qun continued browsing, a particular headline caught his eye.
"NCAA Sweet 16 Team Profiles."
Curiosity piqued, he clicked through to find out more. Among the list of American players, one name stood out: Chong Wang.
"Chong Wang? Wang Chong?"
The name was strikingly familiar. He clicked on the link to delve deeper and found a brief profile of Wang Chong, a 2.08-meter-tall center from Marquette University, 19 years old. The profile mentioned that Wang Chong was a key player for Marquette and had helped lead the team to the Sweet 16 round. However, the article focused more on another player, Dwyane Wade, praising his talent and speculating on his potential NBA draft position.
Su Qun wasn't particularly interested in Wade but found Wang Chong's brief mention intriguing. Seeing an Asian name in the NCAA tournament was unusual and noteworthy. The article provided only basic information about Wang Chong's height and role but did not delve into his performance in detail.
With notable Chinese players like Yao Ming, Dazhi, and Battelle having already made significant impacts, the prospect of another Chinese player potentially making it to the NBA was exciting. Even if Wang Chong was not yet a major name, his presence in the NCAA was a step toward greater recognition.
In 2003, China's basketball scene was keenly watching for emerging talents. With Yao Ming's success, there was a growing interest in domestic players making it to the NBA. The idea of Wang Chong becoming a notable player would undoubtedly capture the attention of basketball fans and media in China.
"We need to reach out to Wang Chong and secure an exclusive interview!"
Su Qun was determined to follow up on this lead. Despite Wang Chong's current obscurity, the potential for him to become a significant figure was evident. An exclusive interview would not only highlight his journey but also provide valuable insights for Chinese basketball enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, Wang Chong, thousands of miles away in the United States, was unaware of the stir his presence had caused in China. In 2003, his participation in the NCAA Championship, though notable, had not garnered extensive media coverage. The lack of significant media exposure meant that Wang Chong was largely flying under the radar.
Being a Chinese American during this period was advantageous for Wang Chong. The challenges faced by players like Yao Ming to navigate the complexities of the Basketball Association's policies were not his concern. As an American citizen, Wang Chong enjoyed greater freedom and less bureaucratic interference, allowing him to focus on his game and aspirations without the same level of scrutiny and restrictions.
The future looked promising for Wang Chong. His talent and potential were clear, and as he continued to develop, he anticipated a time when his achievements would attract substantial attention. For now, he was content to let his performance on the court speak for itself, knowing that his moment in the spotlight would come in due course.
End of this chapter
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Chugamc
Chugamc Hi guys this is Chuga if you read this far and liked it you can leave comments, stones and reviews which is very important for a new translator / author.
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