Seven-foot recruit Zhou Qi’s NBL move ramps up Chinese community interest

Former Houston Rockets centre Zhou Qi is set to feature during the NBL season, and it’s his standing as one of China’s best players that has caught the eye of the community in Australia.

Zhou Qi stands at 2.16 metres tall, or seven feet one inch in the imperial system. 

When the fresh face of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) walks down the street in Melbourne, he can hardly be ignored. 

And many Australian sports fans will recognise the former NBA player who recently signed a two-year contract with South East Melbourne Phoenix. 

On Chinese social media, “random encounters with Zhou Qi” has become a trending topic.

Ousmane Dieng of the Breakers drives to the basket under pressure from Zhou Qi of the Phoenix during the NBL Blitz match. Source: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images AsiaPac

Zhou tells SBS Chinese that he can already feel the fans’ enthusiasm despite only being in Australia since October. 

“Everyone was looking forward to me coming here. Sometimes, I go out for dinner and a stroll. Everyone greets me very warmly and kindly,” he says.

Other clubs keen on greater engagement with the Chinese community

Sydney King’s chairman and owner Paul Smith has watched Zhou’s signing with interest. 

“From a multicultural perspective, that’s driving a lot of interest for us in Sydney.” 

Smith says the Chinese community in Australia are more interested in the NBA and Chinese basketball.

Zhou Qi shoots during the NBL Blitz match between New Zealand Breakers and South East Melbourne Phoenix at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac

“We struggle with the Chinese market in Australia. In Sydney, they haven’t really engaged with the Kings. They haven’t really engaged with NBL basketball.” 

He says with Zhou’s arrival, the Kings saw ticket sales increase when they played against the Phoenix during pre-season. 

We’ve seen a lot of sales for us around that game, so we’re interested in [signing more Chinese players] as well.

The man known as ‘Big Devil’ of China

Zhou was born in Henan province in north central China. 

The 25-year-old centre-forward was once regarded as the player with the most development potential in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), China’s top-tier professional league.

Phoenix team at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. Source: Olivia Yuan

He's been a member of the Chinese national basketball team since 2014. 

He played for CBA’s Liaoning Flying Leopards and Xinjiang Flying Tigers before he was signed on to play for the Houston Rockets in the NBA between 2017 and 2018, making him the sixth Chinese player to have played in that league. 

He was later waived and returned to mainland China to play in the 2019-2020 CBA seasons, where he averaged 20.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.5 blocks per game.

A surprise signing

Zhou says his signing surprised a number of his teammates after he failed to secure a release from Xinjiang to join a rival CBA team. 

He tells SBS Chinese that his Australian transition so far has been smooth. 

“After I got here, the overall feeling was very good, including the team and staff. They value me and have helped me quickly adapt to a new environment.

Zhou Qi and the Phoenix. Source: Olivia Yuan

“The NBL league is stronger, faster and better than the CBA overall,” says the dominant centre who was 15-years-old when he became a star attraction on the international scene.  

He became known as the “Big Devil” after he scored 41 points, 28 rebounds and 15 blocks to steal a semi-final win for China against Germany in the Turkish U16 International Men's Basketball Invitational. 

Zhou’s signing makes the Phoenix a “real player on the global stage,” said the club’s owner Romie Chaudary in September.

Focused on the NBL for now

Although non comital on whether he planned to return to China to further develop his game, he’s still hoping to continue with the Chinese national team.  

“I’ll definitely continue playing for them. Playing for the national side is every player’s duty and responsibility.”

Zhou Qi and the Phoenix Source: Olivia Yuan

Though many in the sport view his stint in in Australia as a steppingstone to returning to the NBA, Zhou says, for now, he’s just keen on getting through the NBL season with Phoenix. 

“I don’t have any goals. I just want to simply help the team and its players,” he says.

Actually, I’m not thinking too much about returning to the NBA. I’m taking it one step at a time and going with the flow.

“As for what must be done, I don’t think there is any certainty. 

“Everyone’s path is different. For me, I just want to play to the end of the season.”