China’s rising basketball star Cui Yongxi has joined the Portland Trail Blazers on an Exhibit 10 contract following the NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, his sports agency announced on Friday.
An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year deal at the minimum salary that does not count towards the salary cap. The team can convert it into a two-way contract before the regular season begins. If a player on such a contract is waived, he can join the team’s G League affiliate.
Cui, 21, worked out for six NBA teams prior to the draft, including the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers. He is set to play for the Trail Blazers in the NBA Summer League, which begins in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 12.
In an interview with Tencent Sports, Cui reflected on his experience in the United States and how it has contributed to his development.
“My biggest gain was that I learned a lot of new things, including training methods, playing styles, and the trends in basketball development here,” Cui said. “After communicating with players here and facing them on the court, I found myself getting closer to matching their pace. Hopefully, I can achieve more improvement in the future.”
When discussing the differences between young players in China and the U.S., Cui noted that the gap may begin at a very early age.
“They have professional trainers working with children who love basketball,” he explained. “In fact, they begin playing basketball in a professional system when they are 11, or even eight or nine years old. I think the gap is in training quality, including differences in nutrition and the professionalism of college and high-school basketball. They are all different from what’s on our side.”
Cui’s journey to the NBA represents a significant step for Chinese basketball players aspiring to compete at the highest level. His participation in the NBA Summer League will provide an opportunity to showcase his talents and adapt to the pace and style of play in the league.
Reference(s):
Undrafted, China's Cui Yongxi to join Trail Blazers on Exhibit 10 deal
cgtn.com
