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NBA player Kyle Anderson obtains Chinese citizenship

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Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Minnesota Timberwolves forward-guard Kyle Anderson (L) in action against Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt during the first quarter of the play-in game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, USA, April 11, 2023. Etienne Laurent, EPA-EFE/File." src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/sports/07/24/072423_nba_min-kyle-anderson_epa.jpg"/><figcaption>Minnesota Timberwolves forward-guard Kyle Anderson (L) in action against Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt during the first quarter of the play-in game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, USA, April 11, 2023. Etienne Laurent, EPA-EFE/File.</figcaption></figure></div>BEIJING, China -- NBA player Kyle Anderson has become a Chinese citizen, Beijing&#x27;s basketball association said Monday, paving the way for the Timberwolves forward to represent the Asian giant at next month&#x27;s FIBA Basketball World Cup.China has naturalized a series of foreign-born athletes in recent years in a bid to strengthen its frequently underperforming national teams.Anderson, who was born in New York and reportedly has a Chinese great-grandfather, said this year he would consider switching allegiance to Beijing.&quot;With the promotion and support of all parties, Li Kai&#x27;er obtained Chinese nationality this morning,&quot; the China Basketball Association (CBA) said on its Weibo social media account, using Anderson&#x27;s Chinese name.&quot;We thank all parties for their support and help, Li&#x27;s family for their support, and the fans and media for their long-term attention to the Chinese men&#x27;s basketball team,&quot; the CBA added.The governing body posted a photo of a beaming Anderson standing with its chairman, former NBA star Yao Ming.It did not mention whether Anderson had renounced his American passport, typically a requirement in China, which does not recognize dual nationality.Anderson currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who lost in the first round of last season&#x27;s playoffs to eventual champions the Denver Nuggets.China is currently ranked 27th in the world by basketball&#x27;s global governing body FIBA.Beijing has made overtures in recent years to foreign athletes with connections to the country through ancestry or long-term residence.They include US-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu, who cemented her celebrity status with a string of victories at last year&#x27;s Winter Olympics in Beijing.British-born former Arsenal footballer Nico Yennaris has also competed for the Chinese national team after obtaining citizenship.<div>© Agence France-Presse</div>

NBA player Kyle Anderson has become a Chinese citizen, Beijing's basketball association said Monday.