TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Jonathan Matthew Smith, a South African-born player, became a Taiwanese citizen in January, qualifying him to be drafted seventh overall in the Taiwan Professional Basketball League on Monday by the New Taipei Kings.

Smith arrived in Taiwan with his parents when he was three months old and completed all of his education locally. He says his Mandarin is stronger than his English and that he has never considered himself a “foreigner,” but Taiwanese, per CNA.

He began playing basketball at Beixin Elementary School, later joining Taipei Municipal Minzu Experimental School and then powerhouse Songshan High School, where he became the team’s first foreign student.

Smith went on to play for the National Taiwan University of Arts, becoming the first player in team history to score 1,000 points last year.

Being drafted by the defending TPBL champions was not something he envisioned as a university student. He said he only began preparing for the draft in his junior year.

“I consider myself a versatile player who can defend, do the heavy lifting, and attack. Whatever the team asks me to do, I will do it to the best of my ability without hesitation,” Smith told local media at the draft.

He added that he watched nearly every Kings game last season. “I am looking forward to joining this team. Everyone has been so nice to me during the tryout. I also hope to learn as much professional basketball experience and as many skills as possible from Jeremy Lin.”