CBA side Xinjiang drops Al Jefferson

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The Xinjiang side from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league has decided to drop forward Al Jefferson. According to an official statement by the league, the 2017 champions are set to bring in ex-Shanghai forward Nick Minnerath as a replacement.

After being drafted 15th overall by the Boston Celtics in 2004, the 33-year-old Jefferson spent 14 years in the NBA before starting his career in China with Xinjiang. He has previously also played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, and Indiana Pacers.

Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Jefferson was touted as the No. 1 center and the No. 4 player in Team USA in 2004. Although he had originally committed to Arkansas, he later opted to take the plunge to the NBA straight out of high school.

The Monticello, Mississippi-born American has simply failed to deliver and has only averaged 15.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Nick Minnerath plays during a CBA game in Beijing, China, March 10, 2018. /VCG Photo

The former Shark's forward Minnerath went undrafted in 2013 and played 40 times for Shanghai last season with 27.2 points and 8.4 rebounds on average. The 30-year-old will represent Xinjiang for the first time in their game against Zhejiang later.

After going undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft, Minnerath joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2013 NBA Summer League. Later, in August 2013, he was roped in by Obradoiro CAB of Spain for the 2013–14 season while in January 2014, he parted ways with Obradoiro, a Spain-based basketball. In 15 games, he averaged 6.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game.