Image reproduced from ETtoday 新聞雲

27-year-old Taiwanese basketball star Abasi officially returned to the Taiwan Professional Basketball League's (TPBL) Chinatrust Blue Whales on the 16th, where he showcased the team's signature gesture at a press conference. General manager Liu Chih-wei revealed that both parties signed a '3+2' contract with an annual salary close to that of top foreign players in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

Abasi, who was twice named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Taiwan T1 league, decided to challenge himself in Japan's B League last June, playing for the Akita Northern Happinets. After a season of experience abroad, he has chosen to return to the Blue Whales, hoping to bring back his overseas experience to help the team return to the playoffs.

GM Liu stated that the '3+2' contract includes options for the last two years, indicating confidence and expectations for Abasi's future. He further mentioned that Abasi's annual salary surpasses 10 million, making it one of the highest for local players in Taiwan, nearly matching the compensation of foreign players in the CBA.

Liu also emphasized an open attitude towards Abasi's potential future challenges abroad, stating, 'As long as it's beneficial for him and he is willing, we will help evaluate the competition level and regulations of the league. These matters are open for discussion.'