Brooklyn 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, in New York. Photo: VCG

The 2024-25 NBA regular season kicks off on Wednesday, and for Chinese fans, one of the biggest highlights this season is ­undoubtedly the opportunity for the Brooklyn Nets' lone Chinese player, Cui Yongxi, to step onto the NBA stage, continuing the legacy of Chinese players ­including Yao Ming, Wang Zhizhi, and Mengke Bateer.

"During the era when Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi played, the NBA's popularity in China was steadily rising, but the channels for information were relatively limited. Now, with the development of social media and the internet, Cui Yongxi can gain more exposure and receive more attention and support from Chinese fans," Guo Ai, a sports commentator based in Beijing, told the Global Times.

"In terms of physical confrontation and tactical skills, Yao and Wang had already accumulated rich experience in domestic leagues before entering the NBA, and their physical strength was among the best of Chinese players. But even then, they needed time to adapt to the intensity of NBA games. Cui will likely need to put in even more effort," Guo noted.

Guo pointed out that during this NBA journey, Cui will face greater challenges in terms of physical strength, endurance, and his ability to withstand high-level competition.

In a preseason event on Saturday, Cui had the opportunity to play, and he improved with each game. 

In his debut, Cui played nine minutes, went 0-for-2 from the field, but scored his first NBA point with a free throw. In his second game, Cui scored five points in less than five minutes, ­including a three-pointer that fired up the bench.

Since media day, Cui has been bonding well with his teammates and has brought more Chinese culture to the NBA stage.

After a recent preseason game, Cui returned to the locker room wearing traditional Chinese clothes, a Zhongshan suit, impressing his teammates with his style. His teammate Jalen Wilson commented that he wanted one too. Cui explained that his outfit was inspired by Chinese martial arts movies, particularly Ip Man.

"This was my first home game, and my Zhongshan suit had just arrived, so I thought I'd give it a try. Maybe it'll bring me some good luck," Cui told media in a post-game interview.

"Cui's incorporation of Chinese culture into the NBA gives fans a more direct connection to it, especially after a period with few Chinese players in the league. His presence is likely to further ­ignite Chinese fans' enthusiasm for watching basketball games. For US basketball fans, it brings a fresh dynamic and sparks added interest to Chinese culture," Guo noted.