Wang Zhelin (Chinese: 王哲林, pronounced [wǎŋ ʈʂɤ̌lǐn]; born January 20, 1994) is a Chinese basketball player for the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association. He was drafted in Round 2 (Number 57 overall) in the 2016 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Wang Zhelin
王哲林
No. 94 – Shanghai Sharks
PositionCenter
LeagueCBA
Personal information
Born (1994-01-20) January 20, 1994 (age 30)
Fuzhou, Fujian, China
Listed height7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight270 lb (122 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2016: 2nd round, 57th overall pick
Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies
Playing career2012–present
Career history
2012–2021Fujian Sturgeons
2021–presentShanghai Sharks
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  China
FIBA Asia Championship
Gold medal – first place 2015 Changsha
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Jakarta-Palembang
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Hangzhou
Wang Zhelin
Chinese王哲林
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWáng Zhélín
IPA[wǎŋ ʈʂɤ̌lǐn]

Professional career

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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 though he did not make the final squad. In April 2012, Wang was chosen to play at the Nike Hoop Summit 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.[1] This was the best all-time performance by any Chinese player in the Nike Hoop Summit.

Fujian Sturgeons (2012–2021)

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Wang then signed his first professional contract with the Fujian Sturgeons of the Chinese Basketball Association in June 2012, prior to the 2012–13 season.[2] 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.

In 2018, he played in the 2018 NBA Summer League as a member of the China men's national basketball team. In the first game, the Chinese team lost to the Indiana Pacers by a score of 56-36.[3] In the second game, Wang faced off against fellow Chinese player Zhou Qi and the Houston Rockets, losing 78-66.[4] [5] [6]

In the third game, Wang scored six points in the Chinese team's 73-72 loss to the Sacramento Kings.[7][8] In the fourth game, the China men's national basketball team won its first game, 68-42, against the Washington Wizards. Wang did not play in this game due to illness.[9] In the last game, the China team beat the Detroit Pistons 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.

NBA draft rights

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Wang was selected late in the second round of the 2016 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies as the 57th pick.[10] Fellow countryman Zhou Qi was selected with the 43rd pick by the Houston Rockets, the second time two Chinese prospects were selected in an NBA draft (the first time being in 2007 with Yi Jianlian and Sun Yue). However, Wang would not immediately join the Grizzlies, instead returning with Fujian for the following season to develop.[11]

On September 10, 2021, Wang's NBA draft rights were traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Marc Gasol, a 2024 second–round pick, and cash.[12]

On January 3, 2022, his draft rights were moved again, this time to the New York Knicks, as part of a three-team deal with the Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers.[13]

National team career

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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 unofficial practice games with 2018 NBA Summer League teams as a member of the China men's national basketball team. In the first game, the China men's national basketball team lost 36-56 against the Indiana Pacers.[14]

In the second game, Wang played against fellow Chinese national team member Houston Rockets named Zhou Qi, and the China men's national basketball team lost 66-78 against the Houston Rockets.[15] [16] [17]

In the third game, Wang scored three points and the China men's national basketball team lost 72-73 against the Sacramento Kings.[18] [19]

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. Wang did not play in this game due to illness.[20]

In the last game of the series, China won 66–62 against the Detroit Pistons.

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.[21][22]

Wang was included in China's squad for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification.[23]

Career statistics

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Year Team GP RPG APG FG% FT% PPG
2012–13 Fujian 32 12.9 1.3 .531 .627 20.3
2013–14 Fujian 34 11.4 1.1 .586 .732 22.8
2014–15 Fujian 37 11.5 1.7 .607 .668 21.6
2015–16 Fujian 9 6.0 1.1 .522 .667 11.3
2016–17 Fujian 32 11.1 2.2 .578 .639 21.8
2017–18 Fujian 27 11.0 1.9 .603 .643 20.7
2018–19 Fujian 46 13.9 2.3 .547 .651 25.7

[24]

References

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  1. ^ "17年全球峰会最强中国球员 2米13新星离NBA有多远".
  2. ^ "福建男篮正式宣布签约王哲林 合同细节尚未透露".
  3. ^ 男篮红队与nba夏季联赛球队过招,36:56不敌步行者
  4. ^ 王哲林难档周琦暴扣
  5. ^ 王哲林积极上篮
  6. ^ 中国男篮红队与夏季联赛队伍拉练第二场,66:78不敌火箭,输了三节
  7. ^ 红队训练赛第三场42:73不敌国王
  8. ^ "王哲林自投自抢". Archived from the original on 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  9. ^ 红队获得训练赛首胜,68:42胜奇才 王哲林因伤病缺阵
  10. ^ "Grizzlies select Wade Baldwin IV in First Round of 2016 NBA Draft". NBA.com. June 24, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  11. ^ "Wang Zhelin: Will remain in China for 2016–17 season". CBSSports.com. CBS Sports. June 28, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  12. ^ Gonzalez, AJ (10 September 2021). "Lakers News: The Los Angeles Lakers Have Traded Marc Gasol To the Grizzlies". All Lakers FN.
  13. ^ "Knicks Acquire Denzel Valentine and Cash Considerations in Three-Team Deal". New York Knicks. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
  14. ^ 男篮红队与nba夏季联赛球队过招,36:56不敌步行者
  15. ^ 王哲林难档周琦暴扣
  16. ^ 王哲林积极上篮
  17. ^ 中国男篮红队与nba夏季联赛拉练第二场对阵火箭,66:78败下阵来
  18. ^ 红队训练赛第三场42:73不敌国王
  19. ^ "王哲林自投自抢". Archived from the original on 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  20. ^ 红队获得训练赛首胜,68:42胜奇才 王哲林因伤病缺阵
  21. ^ 王哲林亚运首战82:80胜菲律宾得到13分
  22. ^ 王哲林夏季联赛表现不错
  23. ^ Randolph B. Leongson (21 November 2021). "Guo Ailun rejoins China in time for World Cup qualifiers". GMA New Media. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  24. ^ "Zhelin Wang International Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2019-11-28.