It's a bit curious that they haven't tried a similar approach with Olympic basketball. I'd imagine that them being good in basketball would be more valuable to them than hockey after all.
I think the culture around basketball is a bit different there. I think they want to become a homegrown power. The hockey thing is more for the Olympics and them hosting than anything IMO, cause they've never been good or made an effort like this.
But basketball, even with the CBA, they are trying to walk the line between bringing in Americans to sell tickets and wow people with 50 point performances and developing internally a true basketball culture and program. I think they are legit playing the long game with basketball and think they can become a power organically.
Travis became an Italian citizen. Becky Hammon became a Russian citizen after playing pro over there.
I'm assuming he meant China specifically. Cause the rosters of Eastern European countries are littered with lesser American basketball players who have been given citizenship for FIBA tourneys, much less the Olympics. Some never even played domestically in the country they represent