2018 NBA Draft Rumors: Abudushalamu Abudurexiti Not Considered a 1st-Rounder

Abudushalamu Abudurexiti, a Chinese forward who entered his name in the 2018 NBA draft, is not currently considered a first-round pick by scouts.

Scouts told Mike Fisher of 247Sports that Abudurexiti is "certainly not a first-round prospect" and that their teams are unlikely to draft him even if he's on the board in Round 2. 

Abudurexiti, 21, is considered China's likeliest player to be drafted in 2018. There have been six Chinese players in NBA history; Zhou Qi of the Houston Rockets became the first selected in the NBA draft since 2007 two years ago.

Michael Scotto of The Athletic reported Abudurexiti has worked out for at least eight teams, highlighting the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz. A 6'8" swingman, Abudurexiti averaged 6.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists for the CBA's Xinjiang Flying Tigers.

The lack of production doesn't help Abudurexiti's status, as the CBA is known for allowing talented players to put up big numbers. Stephon Marbury, Jimmer Fredette, Michael Beasley and others have gone overseas and dominated the competition after leaving the NBA. 

Abudurexiti might sneak on a team's radar as a draft-and-stash in Round 2, but it's unlikely we see him borrow his way into serious first-round consideration.