Chinese basketballer Zhou Qi says public criticism on his WC mistake "understandable"

China's national basketball team center Zhou Qi says he understands the widespread criticism directed towards him for a below-par performance at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

"I did indeed make a terrible mistake, so the criticism is understandable," Zhou said.

In the last seven seconds of the match between China and Poland at the World Cup, Zhou failed to pass the ball to a teammate from a throw-in. The match went to extra-time due to his mistake, with China ultimately losing.

"At the beginning, the criticism made me very uncomfortable and I suffered with it. Fortunately, my family always stood by me, and I've started to look forward to future," Zhou said.

"This is an experience for me and I will get better from every experience, regardless of whether it is good or bad," he added.

The 217cm-tall center seemed to have rediscovered his best form in the 2019-2020 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season, in which he averaged 20.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks across the first 30 rounds.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)