Joe Tsai, owner of the Brooklyn Nets, has expressed interest in adding a Chinese player to the team, and he might soon see that wish come true. Recent reports indicate that the Nets are close to signing Yongxi “Jacky” Cui to one of their two available two-way contracts.
While the Nets have not confirmed or denied these reports, the potential addition of Cui, who is 21 and highly regarded as a top young talent in China, aligns with the team’s recent focus on incorporating younger players.
Cui, a 6-foot-8 shooting guard, had an impressive stint with Guangzhou in the Chinese Basketball Association, averaging 15.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season. His shooting performance was notable, with a 46.1% field goal percentage and a 36.5% success rate from beyond the arc.
Earlier this summer, Cui had agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the Portland Trail Blazers but did not finalize the agreement, leading him to seek a two-way contract opportunity elsewhere.
Prior to the draft, the Nets had worked out Cui but did not have any picks in June. After going undrafted, Cui played in the NBA Summer League for Portland, where he demonstrated his shooting capabilities. He notably excelled in the 3-point shooting drill at the G-League’s pre-draft workout camp, hitting 23 of 25 shots.
If Cui joins the Nets, he will become the first player from China on the team since Tsai purchased it from Mikhail Prokhorov. Although Jeremy Lin, a Taiwanese-American point guard, was on the roster when Tsai became a minority owner, Cui would be the first directly from mainland China. Cui’s agent is also the same as Lin’s, suggesting a continuing connection between the two players.
Cui’s basketball journey includes graduating from the NBA Global Academy in Australia, where he earned praise for his defensive skills. Chris Ebersole, head of international basketball development at the NBA, highlighted Cui’s strong defensive abilities and his willingness to take risks and learn from mistakes. His defensive skills, along with his hardworking nature, have been commended by those who have worked closely with him.
