Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson has obtained Chinese citizenship in order to play in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, which runs from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
The People's Republic of China Basketball Association (CBA), the governing body of China's basketball competitions and national team, unveiled the name Anderson has adopted after receiving his new passport. "Welcome Anderson! Li Kai'er obtained Chinese nationality this morning and met with Yao Ming, chairman of the CBA," the institution posted on the Chinese social network Weibo.
Li Kai'er, Kyle Anderson's Chinese name, has been granted Chinese nationality 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3fN73GwLp0
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 24, 2023
"Hello fans in China, this is Li Kai'er, I am so happy to announce that I will be representing China in the World Cup. Really proud and honored to wear the Team China jersey," Anderson said.
What has not transpired is whether Anderson has had to renounce his U.S. citizenship. As reported by CNN, China does not recognize U.S.-Chinese dual citizenship.
