The Brooklyn Nets have signed Yongxi "Jacky" Cui to a two-way contract, which means he will be the first China-born NBA player in the last five years, since 7-foot big man Zhou Qi played on the Houston Rockets.
The Brooklyn Nets are signing Yongxi "Jacky" Cui – an undrafted forward out of China – to a two-way NBA contract, sources tell @TheAthletic. pic.twitter.com/jBQJmJHUSU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 20, 2024
This summer the Nets worked out Cui ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, but they had no picks this year, so after going undrafted, the 6-foot-8, 21-year-old from Nanning, China played in the Las Vegas Summer League for the Portland Trailblazers.
Yongxi “Jacky” Cui needs to get legit minutes tonight. Dude can hoop. #RipCity #SummerBlazers pic.twitter.com/ed5yhltvk8
— Blazers Lead (@BlazersLead) July 16, 2024
Cui's connection to the Nets is not by accident, as he shares an agent with former NBA player Jeremy Lin, who has stayed friends with Nets owner Joe Tsai.
Notably, Tsai has previously expressed his wishes in bringing in a Chinese player to join their roster. With this in mind, Cui now becomes the third player of Chinese heritage to join the Nets, following in the footsteps of Yi Jianlian and Lin.
In view of Cui's career in the Chinese Basketball Association, he played for the Guangzhou Loong Lions, averaging 15.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals last season, while shooting 46.1% from the field and 36.5% from deep (4.8 3's per game).
What stands out for scouts is Cui's ability to stretch the floor with his long-range shooting, as he went 23-of-25 in the 3-point shooting drill at the G-League's pre-draft workout camp. To point out, he also has good physical intangibles, with big hands, a long wingspan (6'9"), and 35.5 inch vertical.
HE CANT MISS! 🔥
Chinese sensation Yongxi Cui just shot 23/25 from beyond-the-arc!
Catch Yongxi in action at 6:35 PM/ET on YouTube. #GLeagueEliteCamp https://t.co/oHZjOsSxYn pic.twitter.com/zPocgd2PDh
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) May 12, 2024
Yongxi “Jacky” Cui made a name for himself at the G League Elite Camp! 🇨🇳
The Chinese star helped his team go 2-0 during scrimmages and drilled 23/25 3PT in our shooting drills. pic.twitter.com/c03m3AX2AH
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) May 13, 2024
In addition, Cui possesses the skills to be an elite defender at the next level as he has showcased quick feet, good length, and sneaky athleticism throughout his time in both the CBA and international competition.
Cui graduated from the NBA Global Academy in Australia, and this is where NBA head of international basketball development Chris Ebersole noticed his ability on the defensive side of the floor.
"He's got really good feet and plays super hard," Ebersole said (per Hoopshype). "Those ingredients, for both on-ball defense and off-ball positioning, serve him well."
"Jacky" Cui Yongxi. 21 year old. 6'7 G from China.
2024 Draft class: Undrafted
Last season average 15.7 Points 6 Rebounds 3.3 Asists 1.7 Steal.
His shooting accuracy is FG 45.5%, and from the 3 point. @BrooklynNets #Netsworld https://t.co/3d6gibYRRI… pic.twitter.com/ti718kF6IV— G man 🇳🇿🇵🇸 (@GerardTakiwa) September 13, 2024
Ultimately, the young prodigy has a high ceiling and when given the opportunity Cui has the potential to make an immediate impact for the Nets as a wing-defending shooter. Time will tell, but there is no doubt Cui will be a fan favorite and has a bright future ahead, as he looks to be a pioneer, opening the door for more up-and-coming talent out of China.
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