Wei Yuong can grin from ear to ear after proving naysayers wrong
PETALING JAYA: Liew Wei Yuong of NS Matrix has proven that he was right to turn a deaf ear to all scolding throughout his sports journey as he made his maiden appearance in the third circuit of the Asean Basketball League (ABL).
Wei Yuong started to develop interest in basketball when he was only seven after watching the Slam Dunk anime.
The 27-year-old Wei Yuong admitted that his sports journey was bumpy because everyone around him, including his family members, were against him pursuing his dream of becoming a fulltime professional basketball player.
Wei Yuong was grateful that he did not give up on his dream because he started to receive support from his family members after joining the national team.
“Everyone around me kept saying that there’s no future for a basketball player in Malaysia,” said Wei Yuong, who joined Matrix in 2017
“My family members used to chastise me because they find it troublesome to fetch me to trainings, and they assumed that I couldn’t make a living by playing basketball.
“My teachers scolded me because, in their opinion, students who spend more time playing basketball instead of studying are bad students.
“They changed their minds and supported my decision after I joined the national team and achieved some results.”
Wei Yuong said he was thrilled to make his debut in the ABL and he did not face pressure as Matrix were boosted by three American players – Tevin Glass, Amir Williams and Isaiah Williams.
“This is my first ABL and I felt very excited to compete in it because it is one of the highest-level tournaments in Asia,” said Wei Yuong.
“To be honest, I don’t feel pressured because I understand my role and foreign players are the key players.
“So, there’s more excitement compared to pressure.”
Wei Yuong and his team opened their campaign against Indonesia’s Louvre Surabaya at the Maba Stadium in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.