Wang Zhelin (, pronounced ; born January 20, 1994) is a Chinese

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player for the hoops club in the

Chinese Basketball Association The Chinese Basketball Association (), often abbreviated as the CBA, is the first-tier men's professional basketball league in China. The league is commonly known by fans as the CBA, and this acronym is even used in Chinese on a regular basis ...

. He was drafted in the second round (57th overall) in the 2016 NBA draft by the

Memphis Grizzlies The Memphis Grizzlies (referred to locally as the Grizz) are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division of the ...

Professional career

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 The 2012 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012, were an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...

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. This was the best all-time performance by any Chinese player in the Nike Hoop Summit.

Fujian Sturgeons (2012–2021)

Wang then signed his first professional contract with the Fujian Sturgeons of the

in June 2012, prior to the 2012–13 season. 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 The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...

by a score of 56–36. In the second game, Wang faced off against fellow Chinese player Zhou Qi and the

Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA) ...

, losing 78–66. In the third game, Wang scored six points in the Chinese team's 73–72 loss to the

Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Confere ...

. In the fourth game, the China men's national basketball team won its first game, 68–42, against the

Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays i ...

. Wang did not play in this game due to illness. In the last game, the China team beat the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

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

Wang was selected late in the second round of the 2016 NBA draft by the

as the 57th pick. Fellow countryman Zhou Qi was selected with the 43rd pick by the

, the second time two Chinese prospects were selected in an NBA draft (the first time being in

2007 2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year. Events January * January 1 **Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...

with Yi Jianlian and Sun Yue). However, Wang would not immediately join the Grizzlies, instead returning with Fujian for the following season to develop. On September 10, 2021, Wang's NBA draft rights were traded to the

Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...

for

Marc Gasol Marc Gasol Sáez (, ; born 29 January 1985) is a Spanish former professional basketball player who is the president of Bàsquet Girona of the Liga ACB. The Center (basketball), center is a two-time All-NBA Team member and a three-time NBA All-St ...

, a 2024 secondround pick, and cash. On January 3, 2022, his draft rights were moved again, this time to the

New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the Na ...

, as part of a three-team deal with the Lakers and the

Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers, often referred to as the Cavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Divis ...

National team career

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 The 2016 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXXI Olympiad () and officially branded as Rio 2016, were an international multi-sport event held from 5 to 21 August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with preliminary events i ...

. 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

. In the second game, Wang played against fellow Chinese national team member

named Zhou Qi, and the China men's national basketball team lost 66–78 against the

. In the third game, Wang scored three points and the China men's national basketball team lost 72–73 against the

. In the fourth game, the China men's national basketball team earned their first win of the summer, a 68–42 triumph over the

. Wang did not play in this game due to illness. In the last game of the series, China won 66–62 against the

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

Career statistics

CBA

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wang, Zhelin 1994 births Living people Basketball players at the 2014 Asian Games Basketball players at the 2016 Summer Olympics Basketball players from Fujian Centers (basketball) Chinese men's basketball players Basketball players at the 2018 Asian Games Fujian Sturgeons players Memphis Grizzlies draft picks Olympic basketball players for China Asian Games gold medalists for China Asian Games medalists in basketball Medalists at the 2018 Asian Games 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup players 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup players Basketball players at the 2022 Asian Games Asian Games bronze medalists for China