The ‘Chinese Zion Williamson.’ The highly-heralded freshman. It isn’t too often that society sees a player like Ben Li. One that skill aside, has the ability to shock the world just by being an Asian dude who defies all expectations and stereotypes the community has been dealt.
After the article I wrote about the ‘Lehigh Trifecta,’ featuring the three Asian athletes making college basketball history as Lehigh became the first team in Division I men’s history to have three Asian players on the same team, and a following article from the South China Morning Post that hit the mainstream, everyone’s eyes were on Ben and Lehigh.
He knew the weight that he carried and had immense pride for representing his community to the fullest extent. But as a freshman, he also knew that it would be an uphill climb to find his belonging in the already solidified rotation. He had four players older than him playing his same position and started the season pretty deep on the bench.
In his first several games, he stuck out like a sore thumb — not just because he was the one Asian guy on the floor, but more so because he didn’t seem like himself at all when he was out there. He was very much out of rhythm and with the limited opportunities and minutes he was given, he wasn’t able to ever find that rhythm.
But in his past four games, it looks like that turn is finally coming around. During that span, he has shot 11-17 from the field 4-6 from beyond the arc. In the last two games, he has propelled into having a significant role on the team, playing 50 minutes across those two games and putting up 23 points.
I’ve known that this dude could play, as I’m sure his coaches did as well. It was just about putting him in the right opportunity to succeed. And though it’s still a small sample size, it looks like he’s finding his groove.
And now, the story is just about to begin…
