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.
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.
After making their maiden Finals appearance the year prior, South East Melbourne looked to go one step further. The Phoenix’s first move was re-signing coach Simon Mitchell (one year deal), who then went about retaining the majority of the team’s local core, locking in Kyle Adnam, Ryan Broekhoff, Izayah Le’Afa and Mitch Creek re-signing.
Although both Keifer Sykes (to NBA) and Yanni Wetzell (to New Zealand) would exit the club, they would be replaced by Tohi Smith-Milner (via Melbourne), Zhou Qi, a member of the Chinese national team and imports Zach Hankins and Xavier Munford.
South East Melbourne started the season on fire, winning three of its first four games, with Qi (11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks) making it extremely difficult for opposing team’s to score inside and Munford (16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals) proving to be a more than adequate replacement for Sykes.
The combination of a short-term injury to Qi and Hankins yet to play a game due to a knee cartilage injury resulted in coach Simon Mitchell bringing in import Brandon Ashley (8.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.7 assists) as a replacement for Hankins.
The Phoenix had no problems scoring this year, with Mitch Creek (20.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals) leading the team in scoring and South East Melbourne finishing in the top three highest-scoring teams in the league (87.7 points per game).
Then, due to COVID interruptions, several of their games had to be postponed, forcing the team into a 28 day hiatus where they were unable to play a single game, leaving them a little bit rusty, to say the least, and they were blown out by Brisbane (84-100) in their first game back.
It wouldn’t take long for South East Melbourne to return to their previous form however, winning eight of their next eleven games to sit second on the ladder (11-5) around the halfway mark of the season.
South East Melbourne saw their season backflip from here on, going on a four-game losing streak, losing to the Hawks twice, the Kings and United. The downfall of South East Melbourne coincided with the season-ending shoulder injury of Ryan Broekhoff (11.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals), but even with a favourable schedule across the last month of the season, the Phoenix still struggled to get wins, suffering defeats by Adelaide, Cairns, and Melbourne which ended South East Melbourne’s chances of reaching the playoffs.
It was a disappointing second half of the season for the Phoenix, as they managed to win only six out of their last 14 games, the only high point being a overtime win over Perth (102-100) that ended the Wildcat’s 35-year playoff streak.
2022/23
In 2022/23, Qi averaged 6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.2 assists as the Phoenix finished in fifth place (15-13).
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.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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.
SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022-23 | 27 | South East Melbourne | 15-13 (5) | 9 | 121.7 | 56 | 40 | 2 | 17 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 32 | 66% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 14 | 26 | 54% | 63% | 66% | 11 |
2021-22 | 26 | South East Melbourne | 15-13 (6) | 24 | 506.9 | 279 | 159 | 13 | 60 | 99 | 11 | 45 | 28 | 63 | 112 | 176 | 64% | 0 | 5 | 0.0% | 55 | 91 | 60% | 64% | 64% | 25 | Totals | 33 | 629 | 335 | 199 | 15 | 77 | 122 | 13 | 47 | 33 | 79 | 133 | 208 | 63.9% | 0 | 6 | 0.0% | 69 | 117 | 59.0% | 65% | 64% | 25 |
SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022-23 | 27 | South East Melbourne | 15-13 (5) | 9 | 13.5 | 6.2 | 4.4 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 3.6 | 66% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0% | 1.6 | 2.9 | 54% | 63% | 66% | 11 |
2021-22 | 26 | South East Melbourne | 15-13 (6) | 24 | 21.1 | 11.6 | 6.6 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 4.7 | 7.3 | 64% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0% | 2.3 | 3.8 | 60% | 64% | 64% | 25 | Total | 33 | 19.0 | 10.2 | 6.0 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 3.7 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 4.0 | 6.3 | 63.9% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.2 | 59.0% | 65% | 64% | 25 |
POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 25 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 0 |
---|
Zhou later competed in the 2016 Olympics with the Chinese national team.
Zhou was also a part of Chinas national team for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. As the host nation, China would defeat Ivory Coast (55–70) in their opening game before losing the next two matches to Poland (76-79) and Venezuela (59-72). China would rebound in the 17th–32nd Classification games with a win over South Korea (77–73) but then lose to Nigeria (73–86) to finish the finish the tournament ranked 24th out of 32 teams.
YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 23 | 5 | 134 | 45 | 38 | 6 | 6 | 32 | 9 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 18 | 34 | 52.9% | 3 | 10 | 30.0% | 6 | 15 | 40.0% | Total | 5 | 134 | 45 | 38 | 6 | 6 | 32 | 9 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 18 | 34 | 53% | 3 | 10 | 30% | 6 | 15 | 40% |
YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 23 | 5 | 26.8 | 9.0 | 7.6 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 6.4 | 1.8 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 6.8 | 52.9% | 0.6 | 2.0 | 30.0% | 1.2 | 3.0 | 40.0% | Total | 5 | 26.8 | 9.0 | 7.6 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 6.4 | 1.8 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 6.8 | 53% | 0.6 | 2.0 | 30% | 1.2 | 3.0 | 40% |
Zhou Qi was drafted by the Houston Rockets with pick #43 in the 2016 NBA Draft.
On July 6, 2017, Zhou signed with the Houston Rockets. He made his NBA debut on October 21, 2017, playing eight minutes in the fourth quarter of the Rockets 107–91 win over the Dallas Mavericks, posting three rebounds, and one block. On November 1, 2017, Zhou scored his first NBA points, finishing with three points against the New York Knicks. During his rookie season, Zhou has had multiple assignments to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League.
On December 17, 2018, the Houston Rockets waived Zhou Qi. He played 22 games for the Rockets over two seasons in 2018 and 2019.
Qi played 19 games in the NBA. He averaged 1.3 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.1 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- June 23, 2016: Drafted by the Houston Rockets in the 2nd round (43rd pick) of the 2016 NBA Draft.
-
July 6, 2017: Signed a multi-year contract with the Houston Rockets.
-
December 17, 2018: Waived by the Houston Rockets.
Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0 | 68% | 38% | 51% | 97% | ||||||
2 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 7 | ||||||
Total | 133 | 208 | 63.9% | 0 | 6 | 0.0% |
YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018-19 | 23 | Houston | PF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 100% | 100% |
2017-18 | 22 | Houston | C | 18 | 0 | 124 | 22 | 22 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 32 | 19% | 2 | 19 | 11% | 8 | 12 | 67% | 30% | 22% |
2017-18 | 22 | Houston | C | 18 | 0 | 124 | 22 | 22 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 32 | 19% | 2 | 19 | 11% | 8 | 12 | 67% | 30% | 22% |
2018-19 | 23 | Houston | PF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 100% | 100% | Total | 19 | 0 | 125 | 24 | 22 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 33 | 21% | 2 | 19 | 11% | 8 | 12 | 67% |
YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017-18 | 22 | Houston | C | 18 | 0 | 6.9 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 19% | 0.1 | 1.1 | 11% | 0.4 | 0.7 | 67% | 30% | 22% |
2018-19 | 23 | Houston | PF | 1 | 0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 100% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 100% | 100% | Total | 19 | 0 | 6.6 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 21% | 0.1 | 1.0 | 11% | 0.4 | 0.6 | 67% |
Zhou played for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the CBA from 2014 up to the first franchise championship in 2017. He led the CBA in blocked shots in 2015 and 2016 (2nd in 2017) and was best defensive player in the CBA in 2016 and 2017.
Returned to the Flying Tigers after his NBA stint and was again voted CBA best defensive player in 2020.
- CBA champion (2017)
-
3× CBA Best Defender (2016, 2017, 2020)
-
3× CBA All-Star (2015–2017)
-
2× CBA blocks leader (2015, 2016)
-
FIBA Asia Champions Cup champion (2016)
-
CBA Rookie of the Year Award (2015)
Whilst we try to source as much information as we can for every player who has ever played in the NBL some information on a player profile may be missing. If you have additional information on a player you'd like us to add to a profile, please send it to us using the enquiry form below.
Submissions are then sent to info@aussiehoopla.com
POS | TEAM | W | D | L | PTS |
1 | Top Club FC | 21 | 3 | 3 | 66 |
2 | The Reapers | 20 | 4 | 3 | 64 |
3 | Crimson Kings | 19 | 4 | 4 | 61 |
4 | Wind Slayers | 18 | 2 | 6 | 56 |
5 | Deadly Predators | 18 | 2 | 4 | 56 |
Eleven months ago, during the Australian national team's final practice match before flying out to compete at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Jock Landale went down with an ankle injury that changed the course of the Boomers' medal hopes. Prior to that game against South Sudan, pundits considered that tournament to be the Boomers' first chance to win a World Cup medal and their best chance to win gold to date. Instead, the Boomers suffered a disappointing loss to Luka Doncic's Slovenian team (84-100) and went on to finish…
READ MOREPatrick Ewing Jr. joins Dan Boyce on the Aussie Hoopla podcast to discuss why he's come to Australia to coach in the NBL1, his time playing in the NBA, and, of course, growing up with an NBA legend as a father. As part of the coaching staff at South West Metro in the NBL1 North, he's also helping to develop Aussie NBA prospect Roman Siulepa. He gives his thoughts on what he can bring to the NBL this season as Next Star and his potential…
READ MOREExciting news today as basketball superstar Carmelo Anthony announced he has become an ambassador for the NBL Next Stars program and will play an active role in “attracting and mentoring top-tier players worldwide”. NBA legend Carmelo Anthony has joined ownership of an expansion team in Australia's NBL ???? Eight players have been drafted out of the NBL's Next Stars program, including LaMelo Ball. ???? pic.twitter.com/BpLKLEHRVX — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 4, 2024 He joins fellow NBA legend Kenny Smith, who announced he would be…
READ MOREScott Ninnis joins Dan Boyce on the Aussie Hoopla podcast to talk about taking over as head coach of the 36ers, how he is a different coach to the man who lasted two seasons at the helm of the Sixers from 2008-2010 and much more. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. As a player, Scott played thirteen seasons in the NBL. He averaged 9.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 318 NBL games. iTunes - Spotify - Libsyn - TuneIn Podcast Topics…
READ MOREThe Perth Wildcats look set to be sold for the second time in three years. Current owners, Sports Entertainment Group Limited confirmed today it had received a non-binding offer from investment firm MT Arena Capital Investments Pty Ltd. The firm, headed by West Australian cybersecurity entrepreneur Mark Arena, who has been a rabid Perth Wildcats supporter since childhood. The company proposes 90% of the club in a staged acquisition over two years at a $40 million enterprise valuation. The Perth Wildcats, via social media, have…
READ MOREAndrew Bogut, one of the greatest basketballers Australia has ever produced, is renowned for his open and honest approach to whatever topics he is given. He joins Dan Boyce on the Aussie Hoopla podcast to discuss many of the topics mainstream NBL media give a biased view of or fail to cover at all. He's the most influential person in Aussie Hoops outside of Larry Kestelman and we get to hear his take on some of the hottest topics going around the league right now.…
READ MOREWith NBL total team spends revealed for 2023/24, the 'haves' and the 'have nots' are now clearly visible for fans to see. TOTAL TEAM CAP SPEND 2023-24 Perth Wildcats $2,407,957 Adelaide 36ers $2,262,445 Tasmania JackJumpers $2,223,102 Melbourne United $2,151,084 Sydney Kings $2,042,070 New Zealand Breakers $1,870,560 Illawarra Hawks $1,809,796 South East Melbourne Phoenix $1,779,641 Brisbane Bullets $1,701,134 Cairns Taipans $1,644,917 The salary cap was set at $1,820,245, a number that was exceeded by six teams: the Wildcats, 36ers, JackJumpers, Melbourne United, the Sydney Kings, and…
READ MORECameron Oliver joins the podcast to discuss his time playing for the Cairns Taipans, how it shaped him as a player and a person, and how it helped him reach the NBA. Since leaving Australia, Cam has played in Spain, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, France and China, and he shares some of the highs and lows from each of these stops. Currently looking for a team to play with in 2024/25, he confirms that he'd love to return to the NBL. Visit dunk.com.au for…
READ MORE