Drafted 7th, naturalized hoopster looking to learn from Jeremy Lin

Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Naturalized Taiwanese basketball player Jonathan Matthew Smith said he hopes to learn from New Taipei Kings' veteran guard Jeremy Lin (林書豪) after being selected by Lin's team in the Taiwan Professional Basketball League's (TPBL) draft Monday.

Born in South Africa but officially granted Taiwanese citizenship in January 2025, the 22-year-old 1.88-meter Smith was selected by the New Taipei team with the seventh pick overall in the TPBL's 2025 draft.

After being selected, the point guard said he was ready to take up any role the defending champion Kings give him. What he was most excited about in joining the Kings, he said, was having the chance to play alongside one-time NBA champion Lin.

"I hope I can learn about pro basketball and pick up the necessary skills from Lin and continue to grow," he said.

Kings General Manager James Mao (毛加恩) said Smith is a perfect fit for the Kings' system but that he still had room for significant improvement, especially defensively.

Born in Johannesburg, Smith moved to Taiwan with his South African parents when he was one month old. He has lived in the country since and played basketball in both junior and senior high.

At the collegiate level, he played for the New Taipei-based National Taiwan University of Arts, and in December 2024 became the first player to score more than 1,000 points for the university's team in the University Basketball Association (UBA).

He officially gave up his South African nationality in early 2024 before receiving his Republic of China passport in June 2024 and being granted ROC citizenship in January.

Speaking in fluent Mandarin Chinese, Smith told reporters he has always considered himself a true Taiwanese instead of a naturalized one.

He also honored his father, whom he said used to play rugby but could not turn pro due to injuries and has been his biggest supporter on his basketball journey.

"I am here to play for my dad," he added, sharing his excitement at being drafted with his parents who were there to celebrate with him.

Meanwhile, the overall No.1 pick was 1.90-meter forward Liu Cheng-hsun (劉丞勳), a graduate of Taoyuan-based Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology, who was selected by the Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers.

Liu was widely expected to be the overall No. 1 pick, after having a decorated UBA career. He was rookie of the year in 2022 and is the UBA scoring record holder.