Zhou Qi, center, defends in a game two years ago. (Getty Images)

Zhou Qi, a 7-foot-2 prospect in the Chinese Basketball Association, will declare for the 2016 NBA draft, league sources told The Vertical.

Zhou has the potential to be a first-round selection, and NBA front-office executives have closely monitored the center’s development in his two seasons with Xinjiang.

Zhou will submit paperwork for early entry and start predraft training in the United States, sources said.

Zhou, 20 and listed at 210 pounds, averaged 15.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks this season for Xinjiang, which had a 30-8 record.

Zhou is No. 27 in the latest DraftExpress mock draft.

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