Li Kai'er aka Kyle Anderson: ''I will be representing China at the World Cup''

BEIJING (China) - Fans will potentially get to see a new and exciting face suit up for China at the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in Kyle Anderson or Li Kaier - his Chinese name.

The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) officially welcomed Anderson as he met with Yao Ming, Chairman of the CBA in a post on their Weibo account.

Not long after, the 29-year-old personally made an announcement on his Weibo account to confirm his plans for the summer.

"I'm so happy to announce that I will be representing China at the World Cup," said Anderson in the video. "Really proud and honored to wear the team China jersey."

Earlier in June, China had called up 18 players for a training camp, though it was noted that coach Aleksandar Djordjevic could still be adding other players to the squad afterward. Anderson will potentially be joining a youthful core that includes Zhou Qi, Zhang Zhenlin, and Zeng Fanbo, among others.

The 2.06M (6'9") forward is coming off his 9th season in the NBA and his first with the Minnesota Timberwolves where he averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He could potentially cross paths with teammates Anthony Edwards (USA), Rudy Gobert (France), and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Canada) at this World Cup.

The former first-round draftee was selected with the 30th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs and played there for 4 seasons before moving on to play another 4 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Anderson has long been in touch with his Chinese heritage, notably when he went to China in 2018 to connect with his great-grandfather's relatives.

"It was my second time being there [in China]," Kyle says, as per Closeup360. "But meeting my family, people you share the same blood with on the other side of the world, that's just… I don't know what to say about that. It's one of the best moments of my life. That's what I have to say about it. Truly one of the best moments of my life.

"I didn't know what to expect - maybe I did, maybe I didn't. But just that I finally do, I want to indulge in the culture now. I want to be a part of it now."

China have been on a training camp tour in Europe and have an action-packed preparation games schedule planned. They will play in the Trentino Cup in Italy from 4-5 August, facing Cape Verde and either Italy or Turkey. They will then play in the Basketball SuperCup in Hamburg against the likes of Germany, New Zealand, and Canada. From there, they will be heading home to play in China for a friendly game against New Zealand as well as in the FIBA Solidarity Cup.

FIBA