Kyle Anderson of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 21, 2023. /CFP
Kyle Anderson of the Minnesota Timberwolves has officially become a Chinese citizen, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) announced on Monday. His Chinese name will be Li Kaier.
"Welcome, Li Kaier. Li Kaier received the Chinese nationality on July 24 morning thanks to the efforts and support of multiple sides," the CBA posted on Sina Weibo on Monday. "We want to thank everyone for their help and support. We are grateful to Li Kaier's family's support and the long-time attention of fans and media to Chinese basketball."
Anderson arrived in east China's Shanghai Municipality on Monday morning to complete the paperwork for his naturalization. He is expected to fly to Slovenia later to join the Chinese national basketball team, which is currently preparing for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Tencent Sports revealed that Anderson will make his national team debut in a warm-up game in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, in August.
Kyle Anderson (R), his mother (C) and the Chinese Basketball Association President Yao Ming pose for a photo. /Chinese Basketball Association's Sina Weibo account
Having been selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 30th pick in 2014, Anderson has played 574 regular season games for three teams: the Spurs, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 9.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists last season for the Timberwolves.
Anderson has not been well known for his athleticism but for his 2.06-meter height. His 2.21-meter-long wingspan and 104-kilogram weight make him a good fit for the two forward positions. He has always been a solid defender on both the individual and team level and is able to cover four positions, from point guard to power forward.
Kyle Anderson (#5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 23, 2023. /CFP
Anderson completed two seasons at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) before entering the NBA. He was the team's rebound and assist leader in his sophomore year. He averaged 6.5 assists per game in the 2013-14 National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I men's basketball season and ranked No. 6 of all players.
Anderson's size, defensive ability, flexibility and orchestrating ability are all exactly what the Chinese national team needs to compete with Serbia, Puerto Rico and South Sudan in the coming FIBA Basketball World Cup.