Twitter Erupts for Zhou Qi

Brian Goorjian on Zhou Qi signing with @SEMelbPhoenix - full chat for @ESPNAusNZ to come:

"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...."

— Kane Pitman (@KanePitman) September 9, 2021

Welcome Zhou Qi💪🏾 https://t.co/YwPkUE6b6U

— John Wall (@JohnWall) September 8, 2021

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. https://t.co/O2VObf57CQ

— Liam Santamaria (@Liam_Santa) September 8, 2021

The @NBL continues to go from strength to strength. Another landmark signing. This guy is a legit star. https://t.co/BDvOpOh5pu

— Matt McQuade (@mattmc33) September 8, 2021

Love this for the Phoenix! Going to be an exciting season for SE Melb! #NBL22 https://t.co/cDdRcLVKlL

— Peter Hooley (@PeterHooley12) September 8, 2021

Ex-@HoustonRockets and China NT center ZHOU Qi is finalizing a deal to join the @SEMelbPhoenix in Australia's @NBL, sources say.

Zhou would join Ryan Broekhoff, Mitch Creek and Xavier Munford as former NBAers on the @SEMelbPhoenix roster.

More NBA: https://t.co/LGN9cVpeGP

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 7, 2021

Zhou Qi officially announced by @SEMelbPhoenix on a two-year deal (second year player option).

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.

— Kane Pitman (@KanePitman) September 8, 2021

Chinese star set to attract ‘millions’ of eyeballs to the @SEMelbPhoenix as he aims to use the @NBL as a pathway back to the @NBA. #NBL22 #NBA https://t.co/bNLHNusequ via @dailytelegraph

— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) September 8, 2021

Zhou Qi, wowee! @SEMelbPhoenix just got even more serious for #NBL22 and making our C spots probably easier for #NBLFantasy https://t.co/FcjTvRmIDf

— Basketball Blokes (@BBall_Blokes) September 8, 2021

A really smart signing for a number of reasons by the @SEMelbPhoenix, not least of which is his unique skillset at 7’1”. Looking forward to seeing him up close this season. #NBL22 https://t.co/C0r13n7yhW

— Tom Hersz (@tomhersz) September 8, 2021

Big big move by SEM. Former NBA & current Chinese national team player.

With the CBA banning imports & local 🇨🇳 players having contractual disputes, the NBL has become the landing spot in Asia for top tier Chinese talent.

Another tick for the league ✅ #NBL22 https://t.co/5w7ywfjU5S

— Andrew French (@AFrenchy91) September 8, 2021

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. https://t.co/xszB71CVil

— Jordan McCallum (@jordanmcnbl) September 8, 2021

Big signing! Legitimate size, great skill set and a ripping bloke. Can’t wait for @officialzhouqi to join us. https://t.co/VvXnwUfWFt

— Lucas Allen (@LucasAllen15) September 8, 2021

Huge signing!! Welcome Zhou Qi @officialzhouqi https://t.co/8AN5GyxqwA

— William Blake (@William_Blake89) September 8, 2021

Zhou Chi marks the 2nd time in 2 days a Chinese Player has been signed by an @NBL team, and he's a massive get for the @SEMelbPhoenix! 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! #NBL22 https://t.co/5IN7OgtNXL

— Trystan Spooner (@TrystanSpooner) September 8, 2021

A huge (literally) signing for SEM… I’m starting to get a little worried about our title defence. #NBL22 https://t.co/GdUyJAYuxk

— Melbourne UTD Fans (@UtdMelbourne) September 8, 2021

“It’s nice for me to join a team who represents an area with such a strong and vibrant Chinese community.” 🙌 https://t.co/fTuRVhILsi

— Tyson Whelan (@tyson_whelan) September 8, 2021

Big signing! @officialzhouqi and Liu Chuanxing both take their talents to the @NBL 🤯

The last time two China national team members didn’t play in the CBA was @YaoMing and Yi Jianlian in the @NBA 🗣 https://t.co/67KHSo3epN

— East Asia Super League (@EASLofficial) September 8, 2021

If Zhou Qi signs for the Phoenix, I think you’ll struggle to find a more dominant big in the @NBL.@TheCarlanGay, you must admit he was impressive in Canada.

Will make for good viewing 🤘 https://t.co/8mBFnjdgCE

— Keyan Kramer (@KeyanKramer) September 7, 2021

There we go, Qi signs with SEM.

Massive pickup for the NBL and the Phoenix. https://t.co/Y0FUHl6VAx

— Michael Houben (@michaelhoub) September 8, 2021

There is some significant size coming into the NBL. https://t.co/k0z5KD5Mwy

— Lachlan Everett (@LachieEverett) September 8, 2021

Excellent grab, will be huge for us! (Pun not intended... or was it? 🤔) https://t.co/jnTnt6Mj4u

— Tris🐺 (@tb_melb) September 8, 2021

My my my 😍 we got this! 🖤💚 @SEMelbPhoenix https://t.co/R8484hMyqm

— Sean Mapleback (@maples50) September 8, 2021

this is cool https://t.co/y3B68oEPoS

— Will Konstandinidis (@Konston_) September 8, 2021

South East Melbourne Phoenix sign Zhou Qi as Chinese big men hit the NBL https://t.co/x6Q5qFsnQf

— The Age Sport (@theagesport) September 8, 2021

The @NBL 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. https://t.co/QHBnatuiGu

— Consular Corps Melbourne (@consularcorps) September 8, 2021