Wang Zhelin (, pronounced ; born January 20, 1994) is a Chinese
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appr ...
player for the
Shanghai Sharks
The Shanghai Sharks () are a Chinese Basketball Association team based in Shanghai.
It is best known outside China as the club that developed Yao Ming before he entered the National Basketball Association. With Yao on the team, the Sharks made t ...
in the
Chinese Basketball Association
The Chinese Basketball Association (), often abbreviated as the CBA, is the first-tier professional men's basketball league in China.
The league is commonly known by fans as the CBA, and this acronym is even used in Chinese on a regular basis ...
. He was drafted in Round 2 (Number 57 overall) in the
2016 NBA Draft by the
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies (referred to locally as the Grizz) are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference ...
.
Professional career
Wang Zhelin first gained recognition in March 2012 when he was selected to the
Chinese national team's preliminary squad for the
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012) was an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...
though he did not make the final squad. In April 2012, Wang was chosen to play at the
Nike Hoop Summit
The Nike Hoop Summit is an international men's basketball all-star game sponsored by Nike, held once a year since 1995, except from 2001–2003, which features the USA Basketball Men's Junior Select Team against a World Select Team of international ...
and he impressed many by scoring 19 points, 8 rebounds, and blocking 2 shots in an 84–75 victory against the U.S. men's junior select team. This was the best all-time performance by any Chinese player in the Nike Hoop Summit.
Fujian Sturgeons (2012–2021)
Wang then signed his first professional contract with the
Fujian Sturgeons
Fujian SBS Xunxing Sturgeons (Simplified Chinese: 福建SBS浔兴鲟) or Fujian Xunxing or Fujian SBS are a Chinese professional men's basketball team in the Chinese Basketball Association, based in Jinjiang, Quanzhou, Fujian. The "SBS" reflects c ...
of the
Chinese Basketball Association
The Chinese Basketball Association (), often abbreviated as the CBA, is the first-tier professional men's basketball league in China.
The league is commonly known by fans as the CBA, and this acronym is even used in Chinese on a regular basis ...
in June 2012, prior to the
2012–13 season. In his first professional season, Wang averaged 20.3 points and 12.9 rebounds per game for Fujian. His second season with Fujian saw him put up a career-high 22.8 points per game. His injury-derailed fourth season saw him produce career-low averages of 10 points, 6 rebounds and 0.4 blocks in 21.3 minutes of average action.
Wang was selected late in the second round of the
2016 NBA draft by the
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies (referred to locally as the Grizz) are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference ...
as the 57th pick. Fellow countryman
Zhou Qi
Zhou Qi ( ; born 16 January 1996) is a Chinese professional basketball player who last played for the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the National Basketball League (NBL). He has been a regular member of the China men's national basketball tea ...
was selected with the 43rd pick by the
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member team of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its ho ...
, the second time two Chinese prospects were selected in an NBA draft (the first time being in
2007 with
Yi Jianlian
Yi Jianlian ( ; born October 27, 1987) is a Chinese professional basketball player for the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He has also played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Milwauk ...
and
Sun Yue). However, Wang would not immediately join the Grizzlies, instead returning with Fujian for the following season to develop. While Wang would regain some of his abilities that made him a viable NBA draft pick in the first place, he would remain in Fujian for at least another season.
In 2018, he played in the
2018 NBA Summer League as a member of the
China men's national basketball team
The China men's national basketball team (nickname ''Team Dragon'') represents the People's Republic of China in international basketball tournaments. The national team is governed by the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Based on the numb ...
. In the first game, the Chinese team lost to the
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first esta ...
by a score of 56-36. In the second game, Wang faced off against fellow Chinese player
Zhou Qi
Zhou Qi ( ; born 16 January 1996) is a Chinese professional basketball player who last played for the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the National Basketball League (NBL). He has been a regular member of the China men's national basketball tea ...
and the
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member team of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its ho ...
, losing 78-66.
In the third game, Wang scored six points in the Chinese team's 73-72 loss to the
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference Pacific Division. The Kings are the oldest ...
. In the fourth game, the China men's national basketball team won its first game, 68-42, against the
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference Southeast D ...
. Wang did not play in this game due to illness. In the last game, the China team beat the
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at L ...
by a score of 66-62. In this series, China won two games and lost three games, but Wang did not play all of these games due to illness.
In 2018-2019 CBA regular season, Wang reached career high of 25.7 PPG and 13.9 RPG on 54% shooting and led his team to the 2nd round of the
CBA playoffs. Wang also received the 2018-2019 CBA Regular season MVP for this first time.
On September 10, 2021, Wang's NBA draft rights were traded to the
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Lakers play their ...
for
Marc Gasol
Marc Gasol Sáez (, ; born January 29, 1985) is a Spanish professional basketball player for Bàsquet Girona of the Liga ACB. The center is a two-time All-NBA Team member and a three-time NBA All-Star. He was named the NBA Defensive Player of ...
, a 2024 secondround pick, and cash.
On January 3, 2022 his draft rights were moved again, to the
New York Knicks, as part of a three-team deal with the Lakers and
Cleveland
Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...
.
National team career
Wang played for the
Chinese national team at the
2015 FIBA Asia Championship played in China. Coming off the bench, he participated in China's romp to the title and qualification for the
2016 Olympics.
In 2018, Wang played games with
2018 NBA Summer League teams as a member of the
China men's national basketball team
The China men's national basketball team (nickname ''Team Dragon'') represents the People's Republic of China in international basketball tournaments. The national team is governed by the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Based on the numb ...
. In the first game, the
China men's national basketball team
The China men's national basketball team (nickname ''Team Dragon'') represents the People's Republic of China in international basketball tournaments. The national team is governed by the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Based on the numb ...
lost 36-56 against the
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first esta ...
.
In the second game, Wang played against fellow Chinese national team member
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member team of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its ho ...
named Zhou Qi, and the
China men's national basketball team
The China men's national basketball team (nickname ''Team Dragon'') represents the People's Republic of China in international basketball tournaments. The national team is governed by the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Based on the numb ...
lost 66-78 against the
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member team of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its ho ...
.
In the third game, Wang scored three points and the
China men's national basketball team
The China men's national basketball team (nickname ''Team Dragon'') represents the People's Republic of China in international basketball tournaments. The national team is governed by the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Based on the numb ...
lost 72-73 against the
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference Pacific Division. The Kings are the oldest ...
.
In the fourth game, the China men's national basketball team earned their first win of the summer, a 68-42 triumph over the
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference Southeast D ...
. Wang did not play in this game due to illness.
In the last game of the series, China won 66–62 against the
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at L ...
.
In August 2018, he played for China at the Asian Games. In the first game, China won 82-80, and Wang scored 13 points. In the end, he helped China win the 2018 Asian Games.
Wang was included in
China's squad for the
2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification.
Career statistics
CBA
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wang, Zhelin
1994 births
Living people
Basketball players at the 2014 Asian Games
Basketball players at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Basketball players from Fujian
Centers (basketball)
Chinese men's basketball players
Basketball players at the 2018 Asian Games
Fujian Sturgeons players
Memphis Grizzlies draft picks
Olympic basketball players of China
Sportspeople from Fujian
Asian Games gold medalists for China
Asian Games medalists in basketball
Medalists at the 2018 Asian Games
2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup players