Taiwan is again tapping into the basketball talent pool in Malaysia.
Last year it was the strapping 2.03m V. Dhayalan who was scouted and offered a spot with Guangqi High School in Taoyuan, Taiwan, where he competes in the High School Basketball League (HBL).
And the latest Malaysian talent to catch the eyes of Taiwanese scouts is 20-year-old Yap Zhi Wei.
The 1.93m Zhi Wei, who excels in the forward position or at centre, was offered a chance to go to Taiwan and compete in the University Basketball Association (UBA) league.
The KL boy, who comes from a humble background, was delighted to get a four-year scholarship to join Vanung University, a Division 2 side in the UBA.
Zhi Wei follows in the footsteps of ex-national players Kenneth Ho and Wong Chin Yong, as well as current national team star Yek Liang Chuan and KL Dragons' Tan Wei Long who all played in the UBA previously.
Zhi Wei is, however, the first Malaysian to go under a basketball scholarship programme.
Zhi Wei, who played a key role to help Red Baron win the MPL Development League last year, is ready to work hard and make the best of this opportunity.
"To be honest, I really did not expect such an opportunity. It came out of the blue.
"Of course, I was very happy at first and then I got a little nervous as I counted down the days to leaving Malaysia.
"But I really want to make the best of this opportunity in challenging myself in another country," said Zhi Wei who left for Taiwan early this week.
Zhi Wei's basketball scholarship opportunity is an eye-opener and it shows there are opportunities for Malaysians who work hard in the sport.