American-born naturalized Taiwanese basketball star Quincy Davis is expected to play his first game for the New Taipei Kings in Taiwan’s P. LEAGUE+ Saturday, which will see him face off against his former team, the Taoyuan Pilots.
Davis was the first naturalized player to represent Taiwan in international basketball competition. The 203-centimeter player renounced his U.S. citizenship and obtained Republic of China (Taiwan) citizenship in 2013.
Davis played power forward and center for the Pilots during the professional basketball league’s inaugural season last year, but has been signed by expansion team the Kings this season, which tipped off Dec. 4 but has so far sat out of the team’s first six games.
Kings’ general manager James Mao (毛加恩) told CNA Monday that Davis has been undergoing physical therapy for a lumbar injury but a recent evaluation deemed him fit to play.
The last time Davis played competitively was in May last year so the Kings will proceed with caution by initially limiting his playing time, Mao said, adding that whether he will play two days in a row is still be decided.
“He (Davis) will want to play the whole game, but in order to protect him, we may have some restrictions so he is not on the court too long,” Mao said.
The Kings were defeated by the Braves in overtime at Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium on Sunday and Davis had said he wanted to play that day, Mao said.
In response to the upcoming matchup Saturday, Davis told CNA Tuesday that he is excited to be back on the basketball court as it shows he is healthy enough to keep playing basketball and provide for his family.
“I just feel very excited to get back on the basketball court no matter which team we are playing against,” Davis said. “Also, this gives inspiration to everyone to never give up staying healthy to achieve your goals.”
When asked about his physical condition, Davis said he is doing new exercises and new training programs to get his body prepared for a full season of competitive basketball.
Also playing for the first time on Saturday for the Kings will be former NBA power forward Chris McCullough.
The Kings will host the visiting Taoyuan Pilots at New Taipei Xinzhunag Gymnasium Saturday and the Taipei Fubon Braves on Sunday.
The New Taipei team is placed fourth in the six-team league with a record of three wins and three losses.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel