Bonzi Wells, the former-NBA player that made a splash in late-2008 by signing with Shanxi Zhongyu of the CBA, was recently featured on the cover of China‘s Sports Illustrated.

The timing of the cover and feature article couldn’t be worse as Wells was released by his team after going AWOL.

Wells decided not to return to China after going home to the United States for the Chinese New Year Holiday break.

From Superstar to Disappointment
The 32-year old, signed with the team on December 12th, and played 14 games for the Chinese club as Shanxi Zhongyu went split their games (7-7) with the 6-6 shooting guard on their roster.  Wells would average 34.3 points in the league.

Bonzi came into China jacking shots, shooting 37 shots in each of his first two games.  And though he would shine in some games, scoring 48 points in his debut, he would also under perform in other games.

Even so, fans came to see the former-Houston Rocket and Yao Ming-teammate.

Went home for Chinese New Year
The Chinese Basketball Association would take a week hiatus that began on January 20th for the observation and celebration of the Chinese New Year. Players were told to return to their teams by January 27th.

Bonzi would return home to the USA for the holiday, never to return. “We had booked a return flight on Jan. 27 and postponed it to Jan. 29 due to a request from Mr. Wells. However, Mr. Wells didn’t return on schedule for a match against Changchun Dacheng,” said a statement from the CBA.

Wells helped the former bottom-dwelling Shanxi Zhongyu to sixth place in the CBA standings… but without Bonzi, Shanxi would lose 110-89 at home to tenth-place Changchun and fell to the eighth placing on the standings. Shanxi Zhongyu would terminate their contract with Bonzi Wells as the player refused to return.

According to Wells, Chinese basketball was all about business and despite the freedom he was allowed to play with, he wanted to enjoy basketball again. “It was a big cultural shock to me for the first few weeks,” Wells said. “Since I have been here it has been all business and I haven’t had any fun yet, so I am looking for some fun.”

To replace Wells, Shanxi signed Tim Pickett, a 2004 draft pick for the New Orleans Hornets, the Beijing News reported.

Links and Resources: Bonzi Wells on SI China (interbasket), Sports Illustrated cover curse strikes Bonzi Wells (Shanghaiist), Wells ends spell in China with Shanxi Zhongyu (Reuters), Shanxi terminates contract with Wells (Xinhuanet), CBA Season 08-09 (Interbasket), Bonzi Wells joihs Shanxi Zhongyu of Chinese League (Interbasket), Bonzi Wells makes China debut with 48 points (Interbasket)