Nets rookie Cui Yongxi finds rewards on his journey from China to NBA
Nets forward Cui Yongxi is defended by Washington Wizards' Tristan Vukcevic, left, and Jared Butler in the second half during a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. Credit: AP/Heather Khalifa
Near the end of the Nets’ preseason win over the Wizards, two-way forward Cui Yongxi left a mark in his first game at Barclays Center.
Cui, also known as Jacky, made a three-pointer in the fourth quarter Monday. The Nets jumped off the bench in wild celebration to salute his first preseason field goal.
A few possessions later, Cui grabbed a loose ball and made a long two-pointer. The bench erupted again while the fans cheered, bringing life to an otherwise nondescript game.
“Everybody was lit,” Cam Thomas said. “Then when he called the ISO, everybody just went crazy. So it was good.”
The praise kept up in the locker room when Cui walked out in a black Chinese suit. Dorian Finney-Smith dubbed him “GQ Jacky” and other teammates yelled in admiration.
The 21-year-old rookie could only laugh with a sheepish smile. “They say if you can make a shot, I will give you something,” Cui said of the support. “I can cheer for you, I’ll do some celebration for you and [so] I really looked forward to scoring.”
It’s the latest step in Cui’s journey from China. He spent this summer on the Trail Blazers’ Summer League team in Las Vegas after two seasons in the Chinese Basketball Association.
He’s a long shot to make the Nets since they already have filled their 15 roster spots. In both of the Nets’ preseason games, Cui checked in late in the second half and finished the games.
After Friday’s practice, Cam Johnson took time with Cui going over shooting tips and showed him how to use his dribble to create separation.
“What I see on the floor is effort, shooting ability,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Jacky is the definition of it doesn’t matter where you come from . . . He wants to be a good teammate. He does all the little things. He has fun doing it. And that's why I think I would say everybody here loves Jacky.”
Cui also understands he’ll have more eyes on him coming from China. Only six players born in China have made the NBA, most famously Yao Ming. The last one to earn NBA minutes was Zhou Qui, who played one game in the 2018-19 season.
It’s brought Cui extra attention from fans and Chinese media. But Cui, whose father was a street ball player, knows he’ll keep that attention with his performance in games.
Monday was a decent start when he got his loudest cheers. It’s just part of the journey he hopes to continue until he finds a permanent spot.
“I need to take this short time and show myself,” Cui said. “I have to be very focused and have to be warmed up until I can get on the court. I still can move quick. I still can use my skills to score buckets. I think that’s the things I need to learn and keep up.”
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
