Chinese star and former Houston Rockets big man Zhou Qi signed with South East Melbourne Phoenix on Wednesday.

The 7'1 centre had the Twitter world buzzing...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Goorjian on Zhou Qi signing with <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> - full chat for <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNAusNZ</a> to come: <br><br>"It's like Andrew Gaze back in the day signing in China. He is the best player in China. He's 7'1", he's talented. There was no talk 12 years ago of guys in China coming to Australia...."</p>— Kane Pitman (@KanePitman) <a href="https://twitter.com/KanePitman/status/1435862472712343553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome Zhou Qi?? <a href="https://t.co/YwPkUE6b6U">https://t.co/YwPkUE6b6U</a></p>— John Wall (@JohnWall) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnWall/status/1435687719057952769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Huge signing by the Phoenix! As a ‘Special Restricted Player’ Zhou Qi will not count as an import and his salary will not be included in SEM’s cap calculations. <a href="https://t.co/O2VObf57CQ">https://t.co/O2VObf57CQ</a></p>— Liam Santamaria (@Liam_Santa) <a href="https://twitter.com/Liam_Santa/status/1435454549209223168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> continues to go from strength to strength. Another landmark signing. This guy is a legit star. <a href="https://t.co/BDvOpOh5pu">https://t.co/BDvOpOh5pu</a></p>— Matt McQuade (@mattmc33) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattmc33/status/1435459429999120387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Love this for the Phoenix! Going to be an exciting season for SE Melb! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/cDdRcLVKlL">https://t.co/cDdRcLVKlL</a></p>— Peter Hooley (@PeterHooley12) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterHooley12/status/1435459454472888321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ex-<a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HoustonRockets</a> and China NT center ZHOU Qi is finalizing a deal to join the <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> in Australia's <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a>, sources say. <br><br>Zhou would join Ryan Broekhoff, Mitch Creek and Xavier Munford as former NBAers on the <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> roster. <br><br>More NBA: <a href="https://t.co/LGN9cVpeGP">https://t.co/LGN9cVpeGP</a></p>— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1435057694671577088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zhou Qi officially announced by <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> on a two-year deal (second year player option).<br><br>Still only 25-years-old, the 7'1" big man projects to start, likely alongside Xavier Munford, Ryan Broekhoff, Mitch Creek and Cam Gliddon. Not bad at all.</p>— Kane Pitman (@KanePitman) <a href="https://twitter.com/KanePitman/status/1435454094613700609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chinese star set to attract ‘millions’ of eyeballs to the <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> as he aims to use the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> as a pathway back to the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/bNLHNusequ">https://t.co/bNLHNusequ</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/dailytelegraph?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dailytelegraph</a></p>— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattlogue7/status/1435453900329349121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zhou Qi, wowee! <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> just got even more serious for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> and making our C spots probably easier for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLFantasy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLFantasy</a> <a href="https://t.co/FcjTvRmIDf">https://t.co/FcjTvRmIDf</a></p>— Basketball Blokes (@BBall_Blokes) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBall_Blokes/status/1435456474919043074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A really smart signing for a number of reasons by the <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a>, not least of which is his unique skillset at 7’1”. Looking forward to seeing him up close this season. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/C0r13n7yhW">https://t.co/C0r13n7yhW</a></p>— Tom Hersz (@tomhersz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomhersz/status/1435459373946466304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big big move by SEM. Former NBA & current Chinese national team player.<br><br>With the CBA banning imports & local ?? players having contractual disputes, the NBL has become the landing spot in Asia for top tier Chinese talent. <br><br>Another tick for the league ? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/5w7ywfjU5S">https://t.co/5w7ywfjU5S</a></p>— Andrew French ? (@AFrenchy91) <a href="https://twitter.com/AFrenchy91/status/1435460149313900546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pretty significant signing for league HQ obviously. Also an ace get for the Phoenix on the floor given his ‘local’ status and salary not counting in the cap. <a href="https://t.co/xszB71CVil">https://t.co/xszB71CVil</a></p>— Jordan McCallum (@jordanmcnbl) <a href="https://twitter.com/jordanmcnbl/status/1435460287084171271?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big signing! Legitimate size, great skill set and a ripping bloke. Can’t wait for <a href="https://twitter.com/officialzhouqi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@officialzhouqi</a> to join us. <a href="https://t.co/VvXnwUfWFt">https://t.co/VvXnwUfWFt</a></p>— Lucas Allen (@LUCASALLEN15) <a href="https://twitter.com/LUCASALLEN15/status/1435465659656245256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Huge signing!! Welcome Zhou Qi <a href="https://twitter.com/officialzhouqi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@officialzhouqi</a> <a href="https://t.co/8AN5GyxqwA">https://t.co/8AN5GyxqwA</a></p>— William Blake (@William_Blake89) <a href="https://twitter.com/William_Blake89/status/1435479111468666885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zhou Chi marks the 2nd time in 2 days a Chinese Player has been signed by an <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> team, and he's a massive get for the <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a>! He was selected 43rd overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets and fills a big key need at Centre with a good resume! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/5IN7OgtNXL">https://t.co/5IN7OgtNXL</a></p>— Trystan Spooner (@TrystanSpooner) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrystanSpooner/status/1435482484104261632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">?Zhou Qi's 2020-21 CBA Regular Season<br>43 games (38 starts)<br>AVG: 20.8 PTS, 11.9 REB, 2.7 AST, 2.2 BLK, 33 MIN<br>40 Double-digit scoring<br>28 Double-doubles<br>?Xinjiang<br>vs. Jilin: 41 PTS, 14 REB<br>vs. Tianjin: 41 PTS, 13 REB<br>vs. Guangzhou: 37 PTS, 26 REB, 6 AST, 4 BLK<a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> <a href="https://t.co/qM4alz8HoN">pic.twitter.com/qM4alz8HoN</a></p>— CGTN Sports Scene (@CGTNSportsScene) <a href="https://twitter.com/CGTNSportsScene/status/1435489972157513730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A huge (literally) signing for SEM… I’m starting to get a little worried about our title defence. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/GdUyJAYuxk">https://t.co/GdUyJAYuxk</a></p>— Melbourne UTD Fans (@UtdMelbourne) <a href="https://twitter.com/UtdMelbourne/status/1435499761247735815?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“It’s nice for me to join a team who represents an area with such a strong and vibrant Chinese community.” ? <a href="https://t.co/fTuRVhILsi">https://t.co/fTuRVhILsi</a></p>— Tyson Whelan (@tyson_whelan) <a href="https://twitter.com/tyson_whelan/status/1435453437177524233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big signing! <a href="https://twitter.com/officialzhouqi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@officialzhouqi</a> and Liu Chuanxing both take their talents to the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> ?<br><br>The last time two China national team members didn’t play in the CBA was <a href="https://twitter.com/YaoMing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YaoMing</a> and Yi Jianlian in the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/67KHSo3epN">https://t.co/67KHSo3epN</a></p>— East Asia Super League (@EASLofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/EASLofficial/status/1435512084784025603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Zhou Qi signs for the Phoenix, I think you’ll struggle to find a more dominant big in the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/TheCarlanGay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheCarlanGay</a>, you must admit he was impressive in Canada. <br><br>Will make for good viewing ? <a href="https://t.co/8mBFnjdgCE">https://t.co/8mBFnjdgCE</a></p>— Keyan Kramer (@KeyanKramer) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeyanKramer/status/1435203393891434499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There we go, Qi signs with SEM.<br><br>Massive pickup for the NBL and the Phoenix. <a href="https://t.co/Y0FUHl6VAx">https://t.co/Y0FUHl6VAx</a></p>— Michael Houben (@michaelhoub) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelhoub/status/1435459914986508294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There is some significant size coming into the NBL. <a href="https://t.co/k0z5KD5Mwy">https://t.co/k0z5KD5Mwy</a></p>— Lachie Everett (@LachieEverett) <a href="https://twitter.com/LachieEverett/status/1435453737359667205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Excellent grab, will be huge for us! (Pun not intended... or was it? ?) <a href="https://t.co/jnTnt6Mj4u">https://t.co/jnTnt6Mj4u</a></p>— Tris - #OneBradleyLowery (@trmelb) <a href="https://twitter.com/trmelb/status/1435453548003614720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My my my ? we got this! ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> <a href="https://t.co/R8484hMyqm">https://t.co/R8484hMyqm</a></p>— Sean Mapleback (@maples50) <a href="https://twitter.com/maples50/status/1435453953722892297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">this is cool <a href="https://t.co/y3B68oEPoS">https://t.co/y3B68oEPoS</a></p>— Will Konston (@Konston_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Konston_/status/1435532515335311360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">South East Melbourne Phoenix sign Zhou Qi as Chinese big men hit the NBL <a href="https://t.co/x6Q5qFsnQf">https://t.co/x6Q5qFsnQf</a></p>— The Age Sport (@theagesport) <a href="https://twitter.com/theagesport/status/1435532733313273857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> is becoming a magnet for talent from across the world, with players from China, France, USA, Russia, Germany, Nigeria and the Philippines joining teams in recent months. Welcome to Melbourne Zhou Qi. <a href="https://t.co/QHBnatuiGu">https://t.co/QHBnatuiGu</a></p>— Consular Corps Melbourne (@consularcorps) <a href="https://twitter.com/consularcorps/status/1435750565045145601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

(09/09/2021)

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