Wei Lun Zhao's dual symphony
A journey into the young, talented rise of Wei Lun Zhao, the Italian Chinese gem from Varese who explains how basketball, and life, can be bilingual.
Interview by Overseas
Varese is an ancient, noble land of basketball tradition. The stained-glass windows of the venerable Palestra dei Pompieri confirm the city's untouchable status, illuminating dusty mid-air stands that still tell of two Scudetti (Italian titles), an Intercontinental Cup and a Saporta Cup won during the 1960s by then-superpower Ignis. In this Italian and European basketball cathedral, mythology progresses in the basketball, artistic and existential fluidity of Wei Lun Zhao. Zhao is a Chinese Italian and an Italian Chinese. The unstoppable rise of this 18-year-old prodigy seems the natural outcome of the fusion of cultures and symphonies: it manifests itself as a fresh piano and hardwood composition, shaped like a modern and individual silk route and inspired as much by East Asia as by Southern Europe. The testimony and basketball essence of the Prato native, but future conductor of the Chinese national team, are a conscious reflection of a boundless richness: the richness created by contamination.
Where does your passion for basketball come from? What role did your family play in it?
Basketball has always been part of my life, although I cannot really pin the exact moment I first got in contact with it. This passion was handed down to me by my father and brother. Since I was born, I was always sitting side-court at my brother’s games, hearing the ball bouncing. It is something I have always had in me. My father played during college, in Beijing, which, he told me, happened at the same time he met my mom, which makes it such a beautiful coincidence.
What’s your family’s story? How did you end up in Varese?
My father has been the first one moving to Italy, because of his job. Shortly after my mom and brother followed. Finally I was born (in Prato), but not long after we actually moved first to Gorla Minore and then, when I was five, to Varese, where we all live now.
How do you experience this dualism of having in your background China and Italy, two centuries-old cultures, so great, yet so distant from each other?
I feel very lucky. I have been blessed to experience two such beautiful, important and diverse cultures like these. I am extremely happy learning Chinese cultural traditions from my family and, at the same time, experiencing Italian culture first hand, with my friends at school and my teammates in the gym.
So, are you a Chinese or Italian player?
Obviously, I consider myself more of an “Italian” player, as here is where my basketball upbringing took place. Although more recently, I had a fantastic experience with the Under-19 Chinese National Team. Finally representing China and wearing its colors had me feeling a profound sense of pride and belonging.
Speaking of National Team, do you follow its endeavors with equal interest?
It is peculiar for me, I experience it in a particular way. Let me elaborate. Every summer, in Trento, there is a tournament for national teams, in preparation for future competitions. When I was a kid I attended The Game, for me, Italy vs China. I was there, court side, cheering for both. I remember wearing an Italy sweater, but carrying a Chinese flag, as a clear sign of my emotional closeness to both.
Who were your idols growing up? Any player that particularly inspired you?
When I was little, my parents got me a Dwayne Wade’s DVD. I was really just a kid, might have been still in kindergarten, but every afternoon, back from school, I would watch that DVD over and over again. So it is only fair I call out D-Wade as my first idol. Which is actually another beautiful coincidence, since now I have the luck and honor to be part of his brand.
Any other “closer” examples?
Usually, I try to absorb and learn from everyone around me, all my teammates. I believe everybody has something particular I can pick up. There are many examples: lately, surely Livrizzi. A few years ago I also remember Marcus Keene, who now plays in China actually; he really gave me the work ethic and blueprint to become a great point-guard. Overall, I look at every player I meet as an opportunity to add something to my game.
In the last few years you established some records at Italian and European level. How does this make you feel? Do you feel some sort of increased responsibility growing along with your basketball status? Even more so when it comes to represent China?
Surely, I feel a great responsibility, which I also embrace with joy. I take it as a huge opportunity as well, as I have the chance to prove who I am and my worth. Breaking records is undoubtedly a nice thing, but I hope they only represent a starting point. I hope I can demonstrate many things and be part of a group that can create a change and show everybody that China is striving forward when it comes to basketball.
Can we actually talk about a “Djordjevic effect”? Do you think he managed to shake Chinese supporters? What relationship do you have with them?
I met Djordjevic just a few weeks ago, when he paid me a visit, and I was able to have a little chat with him. Whatever the decision on who coaches the National Team, we will go with it. I have great confidence in Sasha and have no doubt we will do well. The support of the Chinese fanbase is definitely present, I feel it… every single day. I have fans texting me, contacting me, pushing me. This past summer, when I was back in China, I was on tour with Jimmy Butler and the love showcased by fans truly stunned me. I could not even fathom being such a role model for so many people. This is something that gave me much joy and, to go with with, great responsibility
How has it been going back to China?
Well, it was not the first time; I go back to China very often. Every summer I would be back to see my relatives, except during the pandemic when it was not possible.
As I mentioned, the opportunity to experience a new culture first hand was the coolest part. Each time I had been able to explore more such a big city like Beijing and truly discover its particularities and uniquenesses. Beholding the differences of these two worlds has always fascinated me. It opened my mind, broadening my horizons and understanding of things. These are things I will forever be grateful.
You also had a taste of the American atmosphere, a natural step in your journey as a player just as much as a person. What can you say about that?
It was my first time traveling to the US. Two summers ago I went to Los Angeles, having the lucky opportunity to workout with NBA starts and play with them. I met a phenomenal coach, named Olin Simplis, and spent almost a month working with him. It really was a dream come true for me.
Tell us more.
Los Angeles is huge! This is the first thing that hit me looking out the window on the plane The city is gigantic, I could only visit it for a handful of days. I went to the famous observatory; the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, but not much else. I was in the gym for most of my stay.
As you were looking outside that window, what was going on inside you? What were your feelings?
Where do I begin? It was a mix of emotions. The first one was my restlessness and desire to get to work. But fear, at the same time, questioning if I were up to the task, wondering what waited ahead of me, since it was my first time. But I quickly turned to understanding I was blessed with a unique chance and therefore had to give it all I had. The goal was to squeeze everything I could out of the experience and live with the results. If this opportunity presented itself to me, it is because I am worthy of it.
Let’s move back here to Varese. What sort of relationship do you have with the city, which has such a visceral passion for basketball? How has the energy and atmosphere been through the years?
Perhaps, it was not something I could understand as a kid. Now, as a grown up, I can sincerely feel how unique the basketball energy is here, and how close the fans are to the club. What I shared before on Chinese supporters applies to Varese’s ones just the same. Every time I meet a fan, they always express words of encouragement for me and the team. The environment I grew up in has always felt very familiar to me; everybody knows each other, everyone supports one another so I believe it is the perfect setting for players to develop.
Is there something of Varese you would take to Beijing, and vice-versa?
To be fair, every city I get to experience has its uniqueness in its own way, and I honestly appreciate all of them. From Varese, I would certainly take the basketball context. As an example: the atmosphere at the arena, every Sunday on Game Day. It is incredible, worthy of some of the biggest European cities. This is something I would love to see in China. On the other hand, there are many things such as food to begin with. Although I must confess I have my mom spoiling me daily with many, many delicious delicacies so, in a way, it is like having my own personal Chinese restaurant at home.
There are often talks about how reserved and closed the Chinese community is here in Italy. How has it been for you to grow within this context and its social fractures? Could you feel them?
Growing up, I always felt my peers and teammates treating me just like one of them. Therefore, I cannot say I really felt this pressure or stereotypes. Nonetheless, I do understand how these fractures can occur, especially as we are talking of two such different cultures, that it is almost natural they generate these clashes. Personally speaking though, I have not had such experiences.
On to the next chapter, as we were talking about photography before, we could not help but notice you have a profile entirely dedicated to this passion. How did it come about?
It started first of all as a hobby. I do it when I get some time; I have liked it since I was a kid. I have always enjoyed trying out new things, a trait I have my parents and family to thank for. They always pushed and stimulated me into trying different hobbies. This kind of mentality, this curiosity, has helped me a lot because I am not afraid of the new, whether it being photography, drawing or playing the piano. Photography always fascinated me. Before I learned how to do it, I loved marveling at other people’s works, so I guess this passion was always there to begin with. When I bought a camera not long ago, I could really give space to my creativity, which I hope endures through time.
What are your favorite subjects? What is your camera looking for?
Frankly speaking, I am still in the process of understanding and finding my style. So far, everything I see as particular and artistic is a target for my camera.
What role does music, more precisely playing the piano, plays in your life? How does that intersect with your daily life?
I am forever grateful to my family for introducing me to it and having me do lessons. To me, playing the piano is a way to block out the noise and quiet my mind. When I need to wind down or decompress, I know I can always go to my piano and start playing it. As I do so, my mind is at peace so it is very therapeutic, not to mention a beautiful thing. Sometimes I find myself playing music for my parents, as they go about their chores. Music allows me to express myself with a different language, it is something I find magnificent.
You speak a lot about passion, is basketball a passion or a job?
Basketball is a commitment, it is what I want to ultimately do, even though I do not see it as a job in the short-term. I see it more as a passion, something I do simply because I enjoy it. If I am on a court and there is a ball, I will certainly shoot some hoops. At the end of the day, basketball too has been, and still is, something therapeutic that makes me feel good. Another way to rest my mind.
Do you listen to classical music?
I truly listen to every kind of music, from classical to modern, which is actually the one I currently enjoy the most. Although I often like to try other kinds, such as classical indeed and, thanks to my piano education, I can actually appreciate the details hidden in music.
At the risk of exaggerating, you know that, for some players, the expression “Hands of a piano player” is used. You are that type of player, and you actually play the piano. Do you believe there is some sort of correlation between the two things?
Yes, I like to think there is one indeed. Actually, playing the piano requires practicing hands coordination, having them do two different things at the same time. My mom is convinced playing the piano is helping my basketball skills. I cannot really tell whether it is true or not, but I like to think this connection does exist.
One question about the future: what needs to happen? What is your goal?
There is always the same mantra in my mind. Everyday, I have to get to work and get better. This is always the first step, for everything in life. Because, if you are successful at improving even just a little every day, in the long run it will make a big difference. It may sound very cliche, but I want to play at the highest level possible to me and live up to my potential. I have many people around me, supporting me in this quest. I am dreaming big and I know the road ahead is long, so I try to set up smaller, closer goals. At the moment I am still playing in Serie B and Under-19, so now it is all about proving my worth at the pro level. The rest will come.
Credits: Francesco Bonato
