CHN - Wang Zhelin looks to prove himself in CBA

JINJIANG CITY (CBA/FIBA Asia Championship) – Wang Zhelin understands that hype is one thing for an NBA prospect, and that putting in hours and hours of hard work on the court is something else entirely.

It’s why the 2.13m Fujian center has kept his feet on the ground despite having his name in bright lights the past couple of years.

He had a starring role for the World Select Team in their 84-75 triumph over the United States at the 2012 Nike Hoop Summit back in April.

Zhelin raised eyebrows in Oregon, where the game was played by scoring 19 points, grabbing eight rebounds and blocking two shots.

It was the same approach he had taken after playing at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship in Riga, Latvia.

There is a difference between playing against young, up-and-coming talent and competing against bigger, stronger and more experienced players.

Many had expected the 18-year-old to go to the London Olympics but then China coach Bob Donewald didn’t take him.

He was such an important omission that CBA Vice-President Hu Jiashi said at the time: "It is a pity he failed to make it into the final squad.

"The team's current tactics need more perimeter players, so we had to give up Wang. But he is still young and he will have a lot of opportunities to prove himself in the national team."

Most important for Wang is the need to understand how much graft, and how much time he has to spend in the gym, to be successful.

It sounds like he does.

When he was recently asked in interview published on the official China Basketball Association (CBA) website about going to the NBA, he answered: “I have heard this topic countless times.

“I automatically filter this information. It’s too early to talk about the NBA.

“I (first) have to prove myself in the CBA.”

Wang is doing a good job of that at Fujian, where he is coached by veteran tactician Tab Baldwin.

The last time out for Fujian against Foshan, Wang had 17 points and nine boards but his team fell 99-85.

Baldwin recently gave an interview that appeared on the same website and was encouraging on the subject of Wang, saying that “he has made good progress in rebounding and defense” while also stressing there will be ups and downs for the youngster all season.

Most important about Wang, Baldwin said, is that “his attitude is very good.”

Wang says the players he has looked up to the most including Spain big man Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, China’s Wang ZhiZhi and Yi Jianlian.

Gasol is still in the NBA with the Lakers while Wang ZhiZhi and Yi are back in China.

Maybe Wang will make it in the NBA one day, too.

FIBA