In the final episode of CGTN Sports Scene's exclusive \"Talk Sports\" series in 2024, Abdusalam Abdurexit, the reigning CBA MVP and captain of the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, shared his insights on his career and the team's performance with Damion Jones.
Abdusalam had an impressive 2023-24 season, averaging 19.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, leading Xinjiang to a second-place finish with 41 wins. Despite falling to the Liaoning Flying Leopards in the CBA Finals, the Flying Tigers showcased a strong and competitive season.
The start of the 2024-25 season saw Abdusalam sidelined due to an injury in the first game, causing him to miss half of the opening stage. However, his absence did not significantly impact the team's standing, thanks to the emergence of young talent who stepped up to keep Xinjiang near the top of the league 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 explained. \"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 under very tough circumstances. It's really remarkable.\"
Xinjiang continued their unbeaten run at home in Urumqi by defeating the Beijing Ducks 108-97, securing their 18th win of the season.
Since becoming captain in 2020, Abdusalam has evolved into a respected leader. He shared, \"My mentality hasn't fluctuated much, and now that I'm the captain, I feel my role has shifted from speaking out to listening. Both on and off the court, the work is equally important, including in the locker room and during training sessions. My responsibility is to help us become more like a family and brothers.\"
With Xinjiang aiming to reclaim the CBA championship they won in 2017, the team is backed by some of the most loyal fans in China. Abdusalam concluded with a heartfelt message to the supporters: \"Thank you to 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.\"
Reference(s):
CBA MVP Abdusalam on career, role as captain of Xinjiang Flying Tigers
cgtn.com
