Kyle Anderson is named “Sluggish Mo.” However he acquired his Chinese language citizenship quick sufficient for the FIBA World Cup.
The Timberwolves ahead’s grandmother is the daughter of a Jamaican girl and a Chinese language man, making him eligible for China’s nationwide basketball staff. Per FIBA rules, every staff can have one naturalized citizen equivalent to Anderson, and he is anticipated to hitch China’s staff earlier than its first FIBA World Cup recreation.
Anderson knew he was 1/8 Chinese language for years, however after some diligent analysis by his mom Suzanne, they positioned his relations. She and Anderson visited China in 2018 the place they met roughly 30 of his relations and he obtained a Chinese language identify: Li Kaier.
Anderson additionally obtained a brand new nickname there. Whereas “Sluggish Mo” is translated to Chinese as “the essence of human wriggling,” Chinese language basketball followers have dubbed him “Li Dachui.” Which means “a giant hammer” that strikes slowly, however is efficient with each strike.
The Chinese language staff hope he is efficient when the Cup begins within the Philippines, the place he’ll face FIBA’s No. 6 staff, Serbia, together with Puerto Rico and South Sudan. No. 27 China has some further motivation, because the top-finishing Asian staff on the World Cup will straight qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
They already had an excellent shot at getting out of their group. China’s likelihood is even higher now that they’ve a Massive Hammer.
