In my opinion, most players have enough talent to challenge the draft, but their teams may not really hope to be selected, because their participation and preparation in the draft are too shallow and their arrangements are too hasty. In sharp contrast to their draft process, Sun Yue, a former Olympic athlete, took part in the competition in 2007, and achieved a success beyond the expectations of most people in China.
As we all know, Sun Yue is the fifth China player to enter the NBA stage after Wang, Bater, Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. Although his Lakers career is extremely short, his experience of being successfully elected as an Asian player by the Lakers in the American ABA minor league has many characteristics worthy of serious study. Because among the China players who have successfully landed in the NBA so far, Sun Yue is the only outside player and the only China player who participated in the whole NBA draft. Reviewing Sun Yue's draft is instructive for more young players in China to challenge the NBA, the top basketball hall.
First of all, the Olympic team went to the United States to participate in the ABA minor league at the end of 2005. Although it is a pity that most Olympic players have lost the opportunity to exercise in CBA, it is undoubtedly a lost corner in Sun Yue's draft, which is obviously beneficial to help Sun Yue gain exposure in the NBA scouting network. His name appeared on the American draft website in June 2005, and Matthew maurer of TheDraftReview.com was the first person to write a scout report for him. In February 2006, he rose to the second place in the American minor league player list.
During the training in Sun Yue, we can notice that although ABA games are loosely organized and the players are semi-amateurs, some players have played NCAA and some veterans, and the rhythm and confrontation of the games are more American. Although the reference value is limited, at least Sun Yue can show that he has the physical quality required by the NBA and the characteristics of all-round technical development in all positions. At that time, Sun Yue averaged 4 1 min, 9.5 points, 7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 2.5 blocks 1.9 steals, 4 turnovers, 39% shooting percentage and 25% three-pointer percentage. I can see that he is still a very young player, and his shooting percentage is not very good, but he is assisting, rebounding and blocking.
In May 2007, Sun Yue officially embarked on a dream-chasing journey in the draft. At the end of May, Sun Yue, who had just participated in the national first and second team competitions, was allowed by the national team coaching staff to go to the United States to pursue his NBA dream. Paul, head coach of the Olympic team, accompanied him personally. At that time, Sun Yue's simulated ranking on two draft websites, one was unsuccessful, the other was 60th, and the highest record was only 58th, which was very marginal. After watching Sun Yue's performances in the Asian Games and the World Championships, FIBA.com columnist Mark Nirlad expressed pessimism about Sun Yue's draft prospects.
In the last six days before draft night, Sun Yue's trial continued. On 24th, I flew to Texas to participate in the trial training of San Antonio Spurs (opponents are Brooks, Strawberry, etc. ), then went to Dallas, participated in the trial training of the Mavericks on the 26th, and returned to San Francisco on the last day of the draft on June 27th to participate in the second trial training of the Golden State Warriors.
After continuous trial training, Sun Yue's draft value has improved. His highest predicted draft pick in Chad Ford once reached 36, and Ford even mentioned that the 76 ers might choose him with No.30 in the first round. In the final forecast list, Sun Yue was selected by the Suns in the NBA draft and 46 by the Nets in the draft express. In other words, Sun Yue has become the mainstream among the rookie players in 2007. His selection is already a high probability event. Jessica Camerato of Hoopsworld commented on five players, including Sun Yue, who might be unpopular in the draft.