Abdusalam Abdurexit, the star captain of the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, is riding high after a remarkable season in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Named the league’s Most Valuable Player for the 2023-24 season, Abdusalam averaged an impressive 19 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, leading his team to a strong second-place finish.
Despite an injury in the first game of the 2024-25 season that sidelined him for half of the opening stage, Abdusalam remains optimistic. The Flying Tigers didn’t falter in his absence; instead, young talents rose to the challenge, keeping the team near the top of the standings.
“In the first stage, we were missing key players like Zhao Rui, Wu Guanxi, and Zhu Xuhang, and I also missed several games,” Abdusalam reflected. “With those challenges, achieving the results we did was truly not easy. But we saw many young players step up. They are extremely talented, and their contributions helped the team achieve remarkable results under tough circumstances.”
The Flying Tigers recently secured their 18th win with a 108-97 victory over the Beijing Ducks, maintaining an undefeated record at their home court in Urumqi. As captain since 2020, Abdusalam has embraced his leadership role, focusing on unity and cohesion within the team.
“My role has shifted from being someone who speaks out to someone who listens,” he shared. “Both on and off the court, my work is equally important. Every team has members from all over, including foreign players. My responsibility is to help us become more like a family and brothers.”
Xinjiang is aiming to reach the pinnacle of the CBA once again, having won their first championship in 2017. With passionate fans backing them, Abdusalam expressed his gratitude and determination.
“I want to thank all the fans who support us. Thank you for injecting energy into this team. We will continue to work hard, live up to your expectations, and strive to achieve great results,” he concluded.
Reference(s):
CBA MVP Abdusalam on career, role as captain of Xinjiang Flying Tigers
cgtn.com
