Wang Shaojie selected as first overall pick in CBA Draft

Peking University forward Wang Shaojie was selected by the Beijing Begcl Basketball Club as the first overall pick in the 2019 China Basketball Association Draft on Monday in Shanghai.

The 23-year-old forward, who is 2.05 meters tall and tipping the scales at 105 kilos, averages 14.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.2 block shots, according to the data from Chinese University Basketball Association.

Chinese Basketball Association President Yao Ming (L) poses photo with 2019 CBA Draft first overall pick Wang Shaojie at the Draft ceremony in Shanghai on Jul 29, 2019. [Photo: IC]

Having led his team to win the CUBA League title and capture the third Grand Slam in June 2019, Wang impressed audiences in a dominating fashion, which brought him the Most Valuable Player Award, after he swept the CBA All-Star Weekend earlier in the year.

"It is a breakthrough though there's still a huge gap between me and professional players," he said.

"Actually, I don't have a clear target for the new season as I need to hone my defending skills and make sure that I can show good form on the court."

This is the first time in CBA Draft history that the top three picks have all been college players, with Wang snatching the first place, followed by Sun Siyao from California State University and Yuan Tangwen from Xiamen University.