Zhou hit by Houston hitch
Zhou Qi is no longer a Rockets player, leaving China without a single representative in the NBA — at least for the time being.
Houston general manager Daryl Morey on Monday announced that the Rockets had waived Zhou after the second-year player appeared in only one game this season, scoring two points.
“I understand the Rockets’ urgent need to improve results and I want to thank the team for its help in my development,” Zhou, who is recovering from an ankle sprain, told PP Sports.
“I believe that everyone can see how I’ve improved over the past two seasons. Physically and mentally speaking, my growth is obvious. I’m grateful for the chance I had with the Rockets which allowed me to have a great performance at the Asian Games this year to help our national team claim gold.”
When Rockets Hall of Famer Yao Ming and Milwaukee Bucks’ Yi Jianlian lined up against each other a decade ago, the future looked bright for Chinese hoops. However, successors have failed to materialize, leaving Chinese fans desperate for a new homegrown idol to worship.
Despite Zhou’s tour de force at the Asiad, he ultimately failed to make the grade for the Rockets, who have blown hot and cold this season and now rank just 10th in the Western Conference.
The 22-year-old, who has been blighted by knee and ankle injuries this year, was the 43rd overall pick by Houston in the 2016 NBA Draft. He joined the Rockets ahead of the 2017-18 campaign and had a careerhigh four blocks in the season finale at Sacramento.
The 2.16 meter (7-foot-1) center played 19 games with the Rockets, averaging 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds on 21.2 percent shooting in around six and a half minutes of action.
Zhou spent the majority of the last two seasons with Houston’s G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, recording career averages of 11.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks while shooting 51.3 percent from the floor.
“It’s a pity that Zhou Qi couldn’t continue to play with the Rockets,” said Chinese TV basketball commentator Yu Jia. “Zhou has learned a lot over the past two seasons. Now it’s time for a new journey. I’ve heard that some other teams are asking about Zhou. We’re looking forward to some good news.”
In November, Zhou revealed he had switched agents in a bid to get more court time with the Rockets, but now his representative’s top priority will be finding a new team for his client, with the chances of the former Xinjiang star heading back to the CBA in the short term looking slim.
“My injuries are basically fine now,” said Zhou. “I keep communicating with my agent for my better development in the league. I’m open to talk to clubs that are interested in me.
“I’ll keep fighting to pursue my basketball dream. What I want is still the dream of every Chinese basketball player. After all, I’m just 22 years old. I still believe that I’m a lucky man. What I’ve achieved has already gone beyond my expectations when I was a kid.
“More importantly, the Basketball World Cup will be staged in China next year. I’ll keep fighting to contribute more to my country. I want to have a great performance in my own country and thrill the fans.”
Like his compatriot Zhou, 25-year-old Ding Yanyuhang is also chasing his NBA dream Stateside. The injury-plagued Ding was waived by the Dallas Mavericks in October before joining their G League team, the Texas Legends.