Historic moment for Chinese basketball as Cui joins elite ranks with NBA debut

After a lengthy 2,189-day wait, a moment long anticipated by countless Chinese basketball fans has finally come to fruition. Just a month after signing a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets, Cui Yongxi made his NBA debut against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night for their home opener.

The excitement among supportors is entirely justified, as it has been six years since a Chinese player last graced the NBA courts. With this appearance, Cui becomes the seventh Chinese player to compete in a competitive NBA game, joining the ranks of Wang Zhizhi, Mengke Bateer, Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, Sun Yue, and Zhou Qi.

Cui stepped onto the court with 1 minute and 58 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Shortly after his arrival, he drew a foul during a fast break, earning a trip to the free-throw line. Although his first attempt went awry, he seized the opportunity on his second try, marking his first point in the NBA. The last Chinese player to score in the league was Zhou, who was then with the Houston Rockets.

In a thrilling turn of events, the Nets stunned the Bucks with a 115-102 victory, bouncing back from two road losses to kick off their season under new coach Jordi Fernandez. Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 22 points and 12 rebounds but was unable to prevent the Bucks' defeat.

While the team celebrated a surprising win and Cui made his mark with his debut point, he maintained his characteristic composure in the post-game interview. "I was just focused on making the most of those one or two minutes," he reflected. "There might be more playing time for me later, or perhaps less; it could be just 30 seconds or 3 minutes, it's uncertain. All I need to do is perform well when I'm on the court."

In the preseason, Cui had opportunities to play in two games, logging 8 minutes and 33 seconds and 4 minutes and 42 seconds, respectively, during which he recorded 6 points and 3 rebounds, with a shooting percentage of only 28.6 percent  and a three-point shooting rate of 33.3 percent. Many had speculated that Cui might have to wait until the end of the season for a chance to represent the Nets, but his debut in the third game of the new season demonstrates the faith coach Fernandez has placed in him.

Cui's journey has certainly had its ups and downs. The 21-year-old joined the Nets after going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. Before making the leap to the NBA, he spent two seasons with the Guangzhou Loong Lions in the Chinese Basketball Association. Last season, Cui earned CBA Domestic First Team honors, leading the Loong Lions in points, rebounds, steals, and minutes played, while also ranking among the top five in three-pointers made, assists, free throws, and blocks.

Now, as he steps into a new chapter with the Nets, Cui didn't end up with a commemorative game ball — that honor went to coach Fernandez, who celebrated his first win. Yet, this didn't diminish Cui's excitement in the slightest. He chuckled as he recounted the post-game chaos, where teammates drenched him and Fernandez in a jubilant water shower.

"It's pure mayhem!" Cui beamed. "I didn't even realize the cold water was pouring down on me until it was too late. Then I saw the coach getting soaked too, so I grabbed a bottle and splashed him right back.”

The Nets' triumph over the Bucks underscores the notion that even a team undergoing a rebuild can demonstrate remarkable resilience and strength. With laughter echoing through Barclays Center, it's evident that a new era is dawning in Brooklyn.