“You Look Chinese”: Timberwolves Star Kyle Anderson’s Mother Reveals Early Struggles With Identity in the USA
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For most, family is the quintessential priority. Every extra effort, every time one pushes themselves, it is done with their people in mind. It’s the same for athletes. We know some miracle stories within the NBA itself. How desperation and raw confidence made some of the greatest NBA players. Family drives them to do better. It gives them a purpose. Similar is the case for Kyle Anderson. However, it took him over 20 years to discover his family that resided in China.
Born in New York, the Minnesota Timberwolves forward never knew about his true roots. His great-grandfather was a Chinese man who married a Jamaican woman. They moved to the USA, seemingly cutting off their connection to their South Asian heritage. It was only after Anderson’s mother Suzanne began questioning her origin that she discovered the truth.
They had a whole community of relatives in China. But how did she come to that realization?
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Kyle Anderson’s mother remembers her childhood
In 2018, CloseUp360 worked closely with Kyle Anderson and his family to help them connect to their long-lost family. In a documentary named Kyle Anderson’s “Chinese Destiny”, Suzanne Anderson spoke about her journey to finding their long-lost relatives in China.
“I felt like when I was growing up people are like ‘You know, you look Chinese’. And I am like yeah, maybe. Possibly. I remember this woman telling me ‘Where are you from?’ and I couldn’t answer her. And it bothered me,”. she said.
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For four years she searched tirelessly until she finally found traced them. With the help of CloseUp360, Suzanne, Kyle Anderson and his wife Crystal took a trip to Shenzhen, China into their home – the Xinmu New Village. Hit with nervousness and excitement, Kyle Anderson was received by a large group of his relatives.
It was emotional for the entire family. Anderson had discovered his lineage in South Asia and with that realized what home felt like. Understanding his traditions, meeting his family, and being accepted with such love, Kyle Anderson felt an immediate connection. He applied for citizenship and then in 2023 naturalized to represent China on the international stage.
Mother in Tears as Timberwolves’ Kyle Anderson Meets His Chinese Relatives
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He made his debut during the FIBA World Cup in 2023. His entire family traveled nearly an hour to the arena to watch one of their own finally don his country’s jersey. His next vision is to play in the Paris Olympics in 2024, and he is hopeful to make his country proud by bringing the gold medal.
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