There’s more reasons than the language barrier to have second thoughts about playing in China, it seems.
Former Boston Celtics big man Guerschon Yabusele has been fined 10,000 yuan (about $1,400 US) for looking away from the Chinese flag during pregame ceremonies, reports Channel News Asia.
Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) players are required to participate in such events ahead of games.
Yabusele was also given a “serious warning” for his lapse, caught on camera during the prelude of Friday, Dec. 6th’s Nanjing Tongxi Monkey Kings game, the Frenchman’s CBA team.
No word at present from the former Celtic on the incident, though it is perhaps understandable given the general climate of unease surrounding Chinese basketball since an early-season controversy threatened to upend ties between the CBA, China, and the NBA.
Guerschon Yabusele is fined by Chinese Basketball Association for ¥10k ($1.42k) for not saluting the Chinese national flag during the national anthem ahead of the game against Zhejiang Golden Bulls. It is a courtesy that one should comply with persuant to the league handbook. pic.twitter.com/8e9za2oLs5
— Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) December 7, 2019
Yabusele was drafted 16th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, but waived by Boston in the 2019 offseason after failing to develop over his two seasons with the team and one overseas in China as a “draft-and-stash” option that helped Boston achieve salary cap goals at the time.
For the Dancing Bear’s (as he is often called) part, a fine is comparatively mild issue to face given the current president (Xi Jinping) saw legislation passed in 2017 which can punish individuals disrespecting the national anthem of China with up to three years in prison.
While unlikely such a punishment would be meted out on a foreign player, it highlights the cultural differences between the two leagues, and may have a chilling effect on international players seeking out contracts in the CBA going forward if such penalties become more common — or more severe.