Wang Zhizhi: Nelson Opened the Door to the NBA for Me, Grateful for His Selfless Support to Chinese Basketball

On August 10, Beijing time, legendary NBA coach Don Nelson passed away. Wang Zhizhi, the first Chinese player selected in the NBA, expressed his condolences.

Wang Zhizhi said: "27 years ago in the NBA draft, it was precisely because of the trust and support from Coach Nelson and the Dallas Mavericks that opened the door to the NBA basketball hall for Chinese players. From the 1999 NBA draft to signing with Dallas in 2001, Coach Nelson and his son Donnie Nelson came to China many times to visit me, providing positive help for my official joining of Dallas, and also filled me with hope for basketball and the future. As an international player, under Coach Nelson's guidance, I spent two important and enjoyable years of my career in Dallas. I was shocked to hear the news of Nellie's passing yesterday. I extend my deepest condolences to the Nelson family, thank Coach Nelson for his outstanding contributions to basketball, and also thank the Nelson family for their years of selfless support to Chinese players and the Chinese men's basketball team. May Nellie rest in peace!"

In the memories of many older Chinese fans, old Nelson was the guide who brought Wang Zhizhi into the NBA. Their meeting wrote a chapter in the history of Chinese basketball.

As early as the Atlanta Olympics, Wang Zhizhi's impressive performance against the Dream Team caught the attention of the Nelson father and son. In the 1999 draft, the Dallas Mavericks selected Wang Zhizhi with the 36th pick, making him the first Chinese player ever drafted by the NBA. However, due to objective constraints, Wang Zhizhi was unable to go to the United States for a long time. During those two years, old Nelson and his son Donnie Nelson did not give up; they came to China many times to communicate, always maintaining their expectations for this Chinese big man.

In 2001, Wang Zhizhi finally set foot in Dallas, officially entering the NBA. As the "originator of run-and-gun," old Nelson greatly appreciated Wang Zhizhi's soft mid-range and long-range shooting skills, was willing to give him opportunities, and encouraged him to shoot boldly and integrate into the Mavericks' fast-paced offensive system. Wang Zhizhi made the first basket by a Chinese player in the NBA, which was inseparable from old Nelson's trust. On the court, Wang Zhizhi hit consecutive three-pointers, and old Nelson would publicly praise his basketball talent.

When he first arrived in a foreign country, language, culture, and the intensity of competition were all challenges. Old Nelson understood the difficulties of international players and provided care in daily life. When Wang Zhizhi needed to return to China for competitions, old Nelson patted him on the shoulder, telling him to train hard and looking forward to his return.

Unfortunately, subsequent twists and turns prevented the master-apprentice bond from continuing. Old Nelson once admitted that cultural differences and adaptation to the court hindered Wang Zhizhi's further development. Even though the ending left regrets, Wang Zhizhi has always remembered this grace of recognition.

After old Nelson's passing, Wang Zhizhi also expressed his condolences, grateful for his role in opening the NBA door for Chinese players and thanking him for his trust and support back then. This story is not just the intersection of a master and apprentice, but also the initial mark of Chinese basketball reaching the world.