Former Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley of the Shandong Golden Stars was named as the CBA Player of the Week for Round 33. (Photo : Getty Images)
Former Miami Heat standout Michael Beasley of the Shandong Golden Stars was chosen as the Chinese Basketball Association Player of the Week for round 33, Asia-basket reports.
The 27-year-old small forward had a monstrous double-double of 40 points and 19 rebounds during the Golden Stars' 131-99 blowout win over the Qingdao Eagles at their home court of Shandong Arena on Jan. 24, on the way to bagging the weekly honor.
It was Shandong's seventh straight win to keep the third spot in the overall league standings behind league leaders Liaoning Flying Leopards and Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
During the win, Beasley shot an impressive 82.4 percent from the field (14-of-17). He is also the best player in the Golden Stars' lineup this year and one of the CBA's best overall with averages of 32.1 points (eighth-best in the league), 13.4 rebounds (fourth-best), and 1.2 blocks.
Beasley last played in the NBA for the Miami Heat during the 2014-2015 season, suiting up in 24 games, starting one, for the Florida franchise. He averaged 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 21 minutes of play per game during that time before moving to the Golden Stars in September 2015.
He had previous experience in the CBA, playing for the Shanghai Sharks from September 2014 to February 2015, where he set a CBA All-Star Game scoring record of 59 points during that time span.
Beasley broke his own CBA All-Star Game record during this year's edition of the annual event, scoring 63 points and bagging his second straight All-Star Game MVP award.
Former Heat teammates and NBA superstars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh are reportedly impressed by Beasley's CBA performance so far and have said good praises for the 2008 NBA Draft second overall pick, according to the Palm Beach Post.
"I think he averages like 55," said Bosh. "It's incredible. Beas can play, especially in the CBA. He's probably going to be the second greatest CBA player ever behind (Stephon Marbury)."
"I haven't talked to him, but I noticed," Wade said. "I want to know who he's playing against. But he's a talent. He's done well in China, man. It's not a bad thing to go somewhere and to be wanted and feel confident in your abilities. Good for him."
On Wednesday, Shandong got their eighth straight win during their round 34 game versus the Tianjin Gold Lions, 119-97, also at their home arena. With wins by Liaoning and Xinjiang as well, head coach Aleksandar Kesar's boys have kept their third place standing in the league table.
