BIO: Zhou Qi grew up in Xinxiang, China and attended Fuxin Basketball School from 2005 in Fuxin, Liaoning.

Zhou first began appearing on scouting reports when he guided China to a unlikely youth team title in Turkey at the TBF International Under-16 Tournament in 2011. At age fifteen, Zhou put up 41 points, 28 rebounds, and 15 blocks in China’s semi final win over Germany, and then went for 30 points, 17 rebounds, and 8 blocks in the final against the host nation. A year later at the 2012 Albert Schweitzer Tournament, a traditional testing ground for the best teenage players in international basketball, Zhou reinforced his reputation as one to watch by averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.2 blocks in 28.2 minutes per game.

In January 2014, Zhou left his boyhood team, the Liaoning Jaguars, to join the Xinjiang Flying Tigers. However, he was unable to play for Xinjiang until the 2014/15 season due to being underaged.

Although there were rumors that several U.S. college team’s were courting him, the teenager decided to stay in China, and his move to the cash-flush Xinjiang team caused a firestorm of speculation within the local media. Initially, it was claimed Zhou had accepted a three-year, $744,000 deal that would have made him better paid than most of the Tigers’ roster at the time, and the club was forced to publicly deny those stories.

In 2015/16, Xinjiang lost in the semifinals of the CBA playoffs. Zhou led the CBA in blocked shots in each of his first two seasons at 3.3 and 3.2 per game, respectively, while shooting 65 percent from two-point range in 73 total games.

In June 2016, Zhou reached a agreement with Xinjiang that would allow him to buy out his contract and join the NBA in 2017. After much back and forth, Zhou’s representation in China and the U.S. secured a buyout that would allow him out of his contract at the conclusion of the 2016/17 season for the maximum league mandated amount permitted, which is $675,000.

In 2016/17, Zhou averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 58.6% from the floor. He also ranked second in the CBA in blocks (2.3 bpg) and was named Defensive Player of the Year. Zhou hit 20 3-pointers in 2016/17 after having 10 his first two seasons combined. He also helped Xinjiang win its first championship in 2016/17.

After his second season with Xinjiang, Zhou QI declared for the 2016 NBA draft. He had the longest wingspan during the 2016 NBA Draft Combine at 7’7¾” (2.33 m). On June 23, 2016, he was selected with the 43rd overall pick by the Houston Rockets.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Zhou Qi made his NBL debut with the South East Melbourne Phoenix at 25 years of age. He scored eight points in his first game.

Following their maiden Finals appearance the previous year, South East Melbourne entered the new season with high hopes of taking the next step. The Phoenix’s first move was re-signing head coach Simon Mitchell (one-year deal), who retained the core of Kyle Adnam, Ryan Broekhoff, Izayah Le’Afa, and Mitch Creek. However, the team saw the departures of Keifer Sykes (to the NBA) and Yanni Wetzell (to New Zealand), replacing them with Tohi Smith-Milner (via Melbourne), Chinese national team member Zhou Qi, and imports Zach Hankins and Xavier Munford.

South East Melbourne started the season strong, winning three of their first four games. Zhou Qi (11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 blocks) quickly established himself as a defensive powerhouse, making it exceedingly difficult for opponents to score inside. Xavier Munford (16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.3 steals) also proved to be a more than capable replacement for Sykes, providing scoring and playmaking.

However, injuries to Qi and Hankins (yet to debut due to a knee cartilage issue) forced the Phoenix to bring in Brandon Ashley (8.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists) as a temporary replacement. Despite these setbacks, the Phoenix maintained their offensive potency, led by Mitch Creek (20.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals), who delivered another stellar season. South East Melbourne finished among the top three highest-scoring teams in the league, averaging 87.7 points per game.

Midseason disruptions caused by COVID-19 forced the Phoenix into a 28-day hiatus, leaving the team rusty upon their return. They were blown out by Brisbane (84-100) in their first game back but quickly rediscovered their form, winning eight of their next eleven games to climb to second place on the ladder (11-5) by the season’s midway point.

Unfortunately, the season took a sharp turn from there. A four-game losing streak, including back-to-back losses to the Hawks, a defeat to the Kings, and another to United, derailed their campaign. The loss of Ryan Broekhoff (11.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals) to a season-ending shoulder injury further compounded their struggles. Despite a favorable schedule in the final month, the Phoenix continued to falter, suffering defeats to Adelaide, Cairns, and Melbourne, effectively ending their playoff hopes.

The Phoenix managed just six wins in their last 14 games, with the lone highlight being an overtime victory over Perth (102-100) that ended the Wildcats’ record 35-year playoff streak. Zhou Qi’s rim protection and rebounding were crucial throughout the season, but injuries and inconsistency left South East Melbourne falling short of expectations.

2022/23
South East Melbourne entered NBL23 determined to bounce back from an injury-riddled previous season. Retaining a strong core of Ryan Broekhoff, Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa, Cameron Gliddon, Reuben Te Rangi, and co-captains Mitch Creek and Kyle Adnam, the Phoenix bolstered their roster with imports Trey Kell III and Gary Browne in the backcourt and Alan Williams in the frontcourt, replacing Zhou Qi.

Qi was initially expected to return to China, but a late decision saw him re-sign with the Phoenix, forming a “twin towers” pairing with Williams. This intriguing lineup created high expectations, but Qi’s contribution was limited to just nine games (6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.2 assists) before he returned to China for family reasons.

The Phoenix opened their season shorthanded, with Broekhoff, Kell, and Browne sidelined due to pre-season injuries and Qi’s arrival delayed until Round 3. Kyle Adnam stepped into the starting lineup, delivering a career-high 30 points along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists to lead South East Melbourne to an 84-79 victory over Tasmania. Mitch Creek (23 points, 6 rebounds) and Alan Williams (12 points, 7 rebounds) also starred, setting an early positive tone for the season.

When at full strength, South East Melbourne was one of the league’s most balanced and competitive teams. However, injuries consistently disrupted their lineup. Kell (12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists) missed five games with broken ribs, while Broekhoff (10.3 points, 4.1 rebounds) was sidelined for a third of the season due to a hamstring issue. Browne (12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists) missed nine games in total, with his absence notably contributing to a 2-7 record during those contests.

Mitch Creek (23.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists) elevated his game to cover for the gaps left by injured teammates, emerging as a serious MVP contender. Creek played all 29 games, delivering standout performances, including a career-high 46 points and 10 rebounds in a thrilling double-overtime victory against the Sydney Kings (113-112).

The absence of key players opened opportunities for others to step up. Adnam (8.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists) and Te Rangi (5.1 points, 3.0 rebounds) played significant minutes, while Junior Madut (4.0 points, 2.3 rebounds) and Owen Foxwell (3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals) impressed with their contributions off the bench. Alan Williams (16.6 points, 9.9 rebounds) dominated the paint, leading the league in rebounds and providing a consistent interior presence.

Despite climbing as high as second on the ladder with a 12-8 record by January, the Phoenix faltered late in the season, finishing fifth with a 15-13 record. Their 4-10 road record and late-season injuries proved costly. Entering the Play-In Tournament against Perth as favorites, South East Melbourne fell 106-99, undone by standout performances from Bryce Cotton (26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals) and Brady Manek (24 points), ending their campaign and leaving Phoenix fans lamenting yet another ‘almost’ season.

Zhou Qi played two seasons the South East Melbourne Phoenix. He averaged 10.1 points, 6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 33 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 49th in blocks per game.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Dan Boyce (823 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.