Asian NBA Players to Watch in 2021

The NBA is home to some of the best players in the world, and many of them happen to be Asian. Here are some of the Asian players you should keep an eye on in 2021.

Who are the top Asian NBA players?

There are a handful of talented Asian players in the NBA who are worth keeping an eye on in 2021. Among them are Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon Clippers center Montrezl Harrell and Raptors forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Gordon is a Three-point shooting specialist who is known for his ability to score in bunches. Last season, he averaged 16.2 points per game while shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. He will be a key player for the Rockets as they look to make a push for the playoffs in 2021.

Harrell is a physical specimen who possesses a rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism. He is one of the best young big men in the league and figures to be a key piece of the Clippers’ future. Last season, he averaged 13.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 60 percent from the field.

Hollis-Jefferson is a versatile forward who does a little bit of everything on the court. He is a strong defender and rebounder, and he also has the ability to score in transition. Last season, he averaged 8.9 points and 5 rebounds per game while playing an important role for the Raptors off the bench.

Why are they worth watching?

The 2021 season is set to be an exciting one for the NBA, and there are a number of Asian players who are worth keeping an eye on.

Rui Hachimura, who plays for the Washington Wizards is a Japanese-born player who is one of the most promising young talents in the league. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2020 and is expected to have a breakout season in 2021.

Another player to watch is Taiwanese-American Jeremy Lin who plays for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League. Lin made headlines a few years ago when he became the first Asian-American player to win an NBA Championship and he is expected to make his way back to the NBA soon.

Finally, center Yao Ming is a Chinese legend and one of the most popular players in Asia. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and currently serves as president of the Chinese Basketball Association

What are their career stats?

With the 2020-2021 NBA season underway, there are several Asian players to keep an eye on. While their career stats may not be as impressive as some of their counterparts, they have the potential to make a big impact in the league.

Rui Hachimura is a Japanese player who was drafted by the Washington Wizards in 2019. He is averaging 13.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game so far this season. His best game came against the Charlotte Hornets when he scored 28 points and had 9 rebounds.

Zhou Qi is a Chinese player who was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2016. He has only played in 11 games so far this season, but he is averaging 7.3 points and 4 rebounds per game.

Yuta Watanabe is a Japanese player who signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019. He has appeared in 27 games this season and is averaging 4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.

What are their best highlights?

With the 2021 NBA season underway, there are a number of Asian players to keep an eye on. Although they may not be the household names yet, they have the potential to make a big impact on the court. Here are some of the best highlights from these up-and-coming Asian players.

Rui Hachimura (Japan): A versatile forward for the Washington Wizards Hachimura was named to the 2020 All-Rookie First Team. He put up impressive numbers last season, averaging 13.5 points and 6 rebounds per game. Hachimura has the ability to score from anywhere on the court and is a strong defender. Keep an eye on him as he continues to develop his game in 2021.

Yuta Watanabe (Japan): A 6’9” forward/center for the Memphis Grizzlies Watanabe has shown glimpses of his potential over the past two seasons. He is a gifted shooter, with a career three-point percentage of 36%. Watanabe is also a good rebounder and defender, averaging 1.5 blocks per 36 minutes last season. With re Playing time, he could be a key player for the Grizzlies in 2021.

Pascal Siakam (Cameroon): The reigning NBA Most Improved Player Siakam is an integral part of the Toronto Raptors’ rotation. He averaged 22 points and 7 rebounds per game last season, shooting 46% from the field and 36% from three-point range Siakam is an incredibly versatile player who can score inside and out, and is also a good passer and defend

What are their teams?

There are a number of Asian NBA players making waves in the league, and 2021 is shaping up to be an exciting year for them. Here are four players to keep an eye on.

First up is Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin Originally from California, Lin is of Taiwanese descent and he’s been lighting up the court since he came into the league in 2010. He was a key member of the Rockets team that made it to the Western Conference Finals in 2015, and he’s looking to lead them back there this year.

Next is Portland Trail Blazers center Festus Ezeli. Born in Nigeria to Nigerian and American parents, Ezeli moved to the United States when he was a teenager. He played college basketball at Vanderbilt University before being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2012. He won an NBA Championship with the Warriors in 2015, and he’s now looking to help the Trail Blazers make a deep run into the playoffs.

Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell is another player to watch in 2021. Powell was born in San Diego California, but his parents are originally from Jamaica. He played college basketball at UCLA before being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015. He was then traded to the Raptors, where he’s become a key part of their rotation. Powell is averaging a career-high 12 points per game this season and he’ll be looking to help the Raptors make another run at an NBA title

Finally, there’s Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert Gobert was born in Saint-Quentin, France, but he grew up in Switzerland and Senegal. He didn’t start playing organized basketball until he was 13 years old, but he quickly developed into one of the best players in his country. He was drafted by the Jazz in 2013 and he’s been anchoring their defense ever since. Gobert is a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and he helped lead the Jazz to the Western Conference Finals last year.

What are their roles on their teams?

The 2021 NBA season is set to begin on December 22nd, with a shortened 72-game schedule. Several Asian players will be taking the court this season, including some that are sure to make an impact on their teams. Here are a few Asian NBA players to watch in 2021:

Rui Hachimura – Washington Wizards
Hachimura, who was born in Japan and is of mixedJapanese and Beninese descent, was drafted by the Wizards in 2019 and has since become one of the team’s Key Players He averaged 13.5 points per game last season, and will be looked to contribute even more this season as the Wizards look to make a push for the playoffs.

Yuta Watanabe – Memphis Grizzlies
Watanabe, who was born in Japan and is of Filipino descent, signed with the Grizzlies in 2019 after impressing during a Summer League tryout. He became a regular rotation player last season, averaging 5.6 points per game in 57 games. Watanabe will once again be counted on to provide valuable minutes off the bench for the young Grizzlies squad this season.

Nik Stauskas – Houston Rockets
Stauskas, who was born in Canada and is of Lithuanian descent, was drafted by the Rockets in 2014 but didn’t see much playing time during his first two seasons with the team. He was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2016 and then bounced around to a few different teams before landing back with the Rockets last season. Stauskas averaged 6.1 Points per game in 2020 and will likely have a similar role this season as Houston looks to contend for an NBA title

What are their strengths?

NBA fans in Asia will have plenty of reasons to cheer on their favorite teams this season, as there are a number of Asian players who are poised to make an impact. Here are three players to keep an eye on in 2021:

Yao Ming
The 7-foot-6 center from China was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft and he went on to become a nine-time All-Star during his eight seasons with the Houston Rockets Yao averaged 19 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game during his career, and he is widely considered one of the best Asian players in NBA history

Jeremy Lin
Lin burst onto the scene with the New York Knicks in 2012, when he averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists per game while leading the team to a division title. The Harvard graduate is now in his tenth NBA season and is currently playing for the Golden State Warriors He remains one of the most popular Asian players in the league, and he remains a fan favorite in his hometown of Palo Alto California.

Rui Hachimura
Hachimura became the first Japanese player ever to be drafted into the NBA when he was selected by the Washington Wizards with the No. 9 overall pick in 2019. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 13.5 points and 6 rebounds per game as a rookie last season, and he figures to be a key contributor for Washington again this season.

What are their weaknesses?

Some of the best young Asian NBA players have certain weaknesses in their game that they need to improve on if they want to take the next step in their development. Here are three player’s weaknesses and what they need to do to overcome them.

Rui Hachimura: Outside Shooting
Hachimura has developed into a very good mid-range shooter but he has yet to show that he can consistently knock down three-pointers. In order for him to become a more complete offensive player he’ll need to improve his outside shooting.

Zion Williamson free throw shooting
Williamson is one of the most physically gifted players in the league but his free throw shooting has been a big weakness early in his career. He’s a career 58.9% free throw shooter and if he can get that up even a few percentage points, it will make him an even more difficult player to defend.

Ja Morant: Turnovers
Morant is an electrifying player with the ball in his hands but he does tend to turnover the ball too much. He averaged 4.2 turnovers per game as a rookie and if he can cut down on those numbers, he’ll be even more effective as a playmaker for the Memphis Grizzlies

How did they fare in 2020?

While there were several breakout performances from Asian players in the NBA this past year, it was still a banner year for the league’s international talent as a whole. From All-Stars to key rotation players, International Players made their mark on the league in 2020. Here are five Asian players who you should keep an eye on in 2021.

1. Yuta Watanabe (Japan)
The Memphis Grizzlies forward/guard was one of the few bright spots for the team in 2020, averaging 6.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in just under 14 minutes per game. Watanabe is a tenacious defender and has shown flashes of offensive potential, and he will look to build on his strong rookie season in 2021.

2. Rui Hachimura (Japan)
After being drafted 9th overall by the Washington Wizards in 2019, Rui Hachimura had a solid rookie season, averaging 13.5 points and 6 rebounds per game. The Japanese forward took a big step forward in 2020, becoming one of the Wizards’ best players and averaging 19 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Hachimura was also named to his first All-Star team in 2020 and will look to build on his strong sophomore campaign in 2021.

3. Zhou Qi (China)
The Houston Rockets drafted Zhou Qi back in 2016, but the Chinese center has yet to make much of an impact at the NBA level. However, Qi showed some promising signs this past year, appearing in 25 games and averaging 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block per game while shooting an impressive 58 percent from three-point range. With Houston’s frontline being depleted by injuries this past season, Qi could see an increased role in 2021 and could surprise some people with his play.

4. Tahjere McCall (Taiwan)
An undrafted player out of Tennessee State University Tahjere McCall signed with the Brooklyn Nets this past offseason and ended up being a key player for them during their run to the Eastern Conference semifinals. McCall averaged 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal per game while providing solid defense and energy off the bench for Brooklyn. With Kyrie Irving expected to miss time again next season due to injury, McCall could once again find himself playing an important role for the Nets in 2021.

5 Honzo Gonzo (South Korea)
A late second-round pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, Honzo Gonzo didn’t see much playing time during his rookie season as he was buried on the depth chart behind Lebron James and Anthony Davis However, Gonzo did see some action during the playoffs and even managed to hit a three-pointer against the Portland Trail Blazers during garbage time of Game 5 of their first-round series

What can we expect from them in 2021?

Asian NBA players have been steadily increasing in recent years and there are now several talented players to watch out for. With the 2021 season just around the corner, here are some of the Asian players to keep an eye on.

Rui Hachimura (Japan)
Hachimura made headlines last year when he became the first Japanese-born player to be drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft He had a strong rookie season with the Washington Wizards, averaging 13.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Hachimura will look to build on that success in his second season and become one of the league’s Top Players

Yuta Watanabe (Japan)
Watanabe impressed in limited minutes last season with the Memphis Grizzlies averaging 4.3 points and 2.1 rebounds in just under 11 minutes per game. He is expected to see an increased role this season and could be a key player for the Grizzlies off the bench.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada)
Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the Rising Stars in the NBA, and he is coming off a breakout season with the Oklahoma City Thunder He averaged 19.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game, and he will look to build on that success in 2021 as he leads the Thunder back to playoff contention.

Zion Williamson (United States)
Williamson is one of the most hyped rookies in recent memory, and he did not disappoint in his debut season with the New Orleans Pelicans He averaged 22.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting 58 percent from the field. Williamson is expected to be a superstar in the league for many years to come, and he will look to lead the Pelicans to playoff success in 2021.