Former Grizzlies Player Joins China for FIBA World Cup

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Former Memphis Grizzlies forward and current Minnesota Timberwolves player Kyle Anderson recently announced that he will be playing for China in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Anderson obtained Chinese nationality, and will join the Chinese National Team for their run this summer.
Anderson made the announcement on his Weibo account, stating, "I'm so happy to announce that I will be representing China at the World Cup. Really proud and honored to wear the Team China jersey."
After spending four seasons with the Grizzlies, Anderson played 69 games for the Timberwolves last season, averaging 9.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 4.9 APG. A versatile player, Anderson can play either forward position, and can stretch the floor with his shooting ability. Not a volume shooter, Anderson attempted just 1.5 threes per game last season, but he knocked down 41.0% of them, so he cannot be ignored beyond the arc.
A solid playmaker as well, Anderson can help facilitate from the forward spot. His 4.9 APG last season were a career-high, as Minnesota's offense often allowed him to serve as an additional playmaker next to their guards. It will be interesting to see how Team China utilizes Anderson, but he will undoubtedly be a great addition to their roster.
FIBA World Cup action is always exciting for basketball fans who miss the game during the offseason, and they will now get to see another NBA player compete.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.