Former Brooklyn Nets guard Cui “Jacky” Yongxi had been making his way through the NBA when he signed a Two-Way contract with the Nets during the 2024-25 season. However, Yongxi’s progress had been stunted after he suffered a torn left ACL in the middle of the season, leading to his release. Yongxi looks to be close to an NBA comeback, though.
In a video posted by Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Yongxi can be seen working out and seems to be moving well after suffering his knee injury in December while playing for the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s G League afiliate. As Lewis noted in his post on X, Yongxi has “been working out in Brooklyn but has now moved on from HSS Training Center and is up to going 5-on-5 out in LA.”
When the Nets initially announced Yongxi’s injury on Dec. 13, their press release said that he would miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season, but would be expected to make a full recovery from his knee injury. In a matter of a few days, Brooklyn announced that they would be waiving Yongxi so that they could make room for guard Reece Beekman, who they acquired in a trade that sent guard Dennis Schroder to the Golden State Warriors.
Yongxi, 22, had spent the majority of the 2024-25 season in the G League as he is gaining experience through playing in Long Island and only played in a total of five games (10.3 minutes) for the Nets at the NBA level. In the G League, Yongxi averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 32.1% from the field and 42.9% from three-point land prior to his injury.
If Yongxi is able to make his comeback prior to the beginning of training camp for the 2025-26 campaign, there is a possibility that he could receive an invite from the Nets. However, most ACL injuries can take 6-9 months to heal and it can take even longer for professional due to the amount of activity. At this point, it’s a great story to see Yongxi on the court, but time will tell when he is able to play.
Cui Yongxi – or Jacky Cui – is grinding on his comeback to the #NBA. He tore his ACL in December with the Long Island #Nets. He’d been working out in Brooklyn but has now moved on from HSS Training Center and is up to going 5-on-5 out in LA. Could be an option for a couple teams. pic.twitter.com/MY9mhmx1oF
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) August 26, 2025
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Former Nets G Cui Yongxi could be close to coming back to the NBA