Unprecedented! Lin Wei is quitting professional basketball! Joining the University of Oregon! Taking a different path!

Lin Wei's agency and multiple sources have officially announced:

CBA's leading domestic scorer Lin Wei has been certified as an international player by the NCAA.

He will compete for the University of Oregon in the 2025-26 NCAA Division I season, donning the number 23 jersey.

Seeing this news, my initial thought was: unprecedented.

Why do I say that?

Chinese players participating in the NCAA is not new.

After all, back in the last century, the widely recognized "world's top forward" Ma Jian was the pioneer and trailblazer on this path.

Since then,players like Zhang Zhaoxu,Wang Quanze and others have also played there. This season, Wang Junjie andZhao Weilun will represent the University of San Francisco.

What makes Lin Wei special?

He is the first Chinese athlete to compete in the NCAA as a professional player.

Others went from college to professional, but he is going from professional to college... Previously, he already played two seasons for the CBA team Nanjing Tongxi.

He was last season’s CBA top domestic scorer, averaging 21.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, the only Chinese player averaging over 20 points per game.

In his first playoff appearance, he exploded for 37 points and 11 assists in his debut, then scored 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists in Game 2. Across both games, he averaged 30.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 11 assists, and 1.5 steals, but the team lost to Xinjiang.

From a personal performance perspective,calling Lin Wei the "small foreign player" for Nanjing Tongxi isn’t an exaggeration.

At 21 years old, he is in his prime.

There were rumors that regardless of his NBA draft outcome, he would not return to play in the CBA, and would likely stay abroad in a higher-level league to develop himself.

Now it’s confirmed — it’s the NCAA.

Let me first lay out three points of background.

First, about salary.

Under the NCAA’s NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) policy, Lin Wei can also earn money.

So it’s not like some uninformed fans think that playing college basketball means no income; times have changed.

More and more players have chosen to play in the NCAA in recent years.

Second, he did not choose to play in the G League.

He was selected 8th overall by the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks’ G League affiliate, in the NBA G League International Draft, but did not sign.

Third, about the University of Oregon.

Oregon is a traditional NCAA powerhouse, ranked 29th nationally, and has made 19 appearances in the "March Madness" tournament.

Historically, it has produced NBA players like Dillon Brooks, Jordan Bell, and Chris Boucher.

Finally, how does Di Ge evaluate his decision or choice?

I have said before, although Lin Wei’s scoring explosiveness stands out, his weaknesses are also very obvious:

First, inconsistent shooting.

Second, lack of defensive experience and insufficient focus on defense.

Therefore, the NCAA might be a good fit for him.

The NCAA is a coach-centered league that emphasizes team basketball and tactical skills, which can help compensate for his technical shortcomings under high-intensity competition.

Simply put, Lin Wei can learn how to play basketball better.

If he can improve his defense, it will definitely be worth trying; don’t doubt the value of this journey.

Taking the chance to explore the world outside is a great thing.

Chinese players’ goals should not be limited to the NBA.

This year, there have been many new changes in the paths and destinations for Chinese players going overseas, which is definitely a positive development.

Lu Xun never said the Lakers would win the championship, but he did say:

There was originally no path in the world, but as more people walk it, it becomes a path.