Chinese center Zhou Qi to play overseas in new season, says agent

Zhou Qi (R) of China tries to shoot during a quarterfinal match against Lebanon at the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain)

After a season with Australian side South East Melbourne Phoenix, Chinese star center Zhou Qi will continue to play overseas in the new season, according to his agent.

BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese basketball player Zhou Qi will continue to play overseas in the upcoming season, his agent said here on Monday.

In a statement released on social media, Zhou's representatives New Level Sports Group said that the 26-year-old center has been making significant progress since he first played overseas in 2021.

"We believe Zhou will keep improving his technique and better serve our country," read the statement.

Zhou Qi (L) of China vies with Thon Maker of Australia during a Group B match at the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, in Melbourne, Australia, June 30, 2022. (Photo by Bai Xue/Xinhua)

Zhou, who has just returned from two months on international duty, including the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers and the FIBA Asia Cup, is currently spending time with his family.

No details were revealed on where he would be heading.

Zhou played with the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) last season. Before heading to Australia, he had played five seasons for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, who have already pre-registered him for the new Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league season.

The disputes between Zhou and the Tigers remain unsettled, while Zhou has the option of playing overseas according to the CBA's terms of registration. ■