Wang Zhizhi Expected to Leave for Dallas Tuesday

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 20, 2001

Wang Zhizhi Expected to Leave for Dallas Tuesday

With approval from the Chinese army and Chinese sports governing body, star center Wang Zhizhi is expected to leave on Tuesday for the NBA Dallas Mavericks. The 2.13-meter center will probably sit on the bench or be put on the injury list in his first week with the Mavericks after missing the training camp and pre-season games for preparing for and competing in the Chinese National Games.

With approval from the Chinese army and Chinese sports governing body, star center Wang Zhizhi is expected to leave on Tuesday for the NBA Dallas Mavericks. "Hopefully Wang can get his visa for the United States on Tuesday, the day the Mavericks expected us to leave," Wang's agent Xia Song told Xinhua after the State Sports General Administration (SSGA) nodded on his leave on Monday.

Wang's request approved by SSGA and CBMC

"SSGA approved Wang's request to play the 2001-2002 NBA season for the Dallas Mavericks," said Hu Jiashi, assistant director of the Chinese Basketball Management Center (CBMC).

The People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) and CBMC had agreed to release the army officer before SSGA's final approval.

Training missed, first week probably on bench

If Wang is lucky enough, he can join his Dallas teammates on Wednesday in their trip to Charlotte, N.C., and Miami. However, the 2.13-meter center will probably sit on the bench or be put on the injury list in his first week with the Mavericks after missing the training camp and pre-season games for preparing for and competing in the Chinese National Games.

"The Mavericks would like Wang to get some training first and expected him to get used to the atmosphere in NBA and adjust to his best shape as soon as possible," Xia said.

China's first player in the NBA

Wang became the first NBA player from China when he signed a two-year contract with the Mavericks on April 4. He averaged 4.8 points in 7.6 minutes in five regular-season games late last season before making the Mavericks' play-off roster and averaging two points in five play-off games.

Following the Mavericks' 4-1 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western semi-finals, Wang went back home and helped China win gold medals at the East Asian Games, Asian Championships and runners-up at the 21st World University Games.

Most recently, the lieutenant colonel led the Chinese army team to gold medal at the Chinese National Games.

The Mavericks, who dropped a second-straight game to the Houston Rockets on Sunday, host the Seattle Supersonics on Tuesday.

Chinese national team center Wang Zhizhi signed a two-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks on April 4, becoming the first Asian cager and first army officer to play in the US National Basketball Association. Wang returns to Chinese National Basketball Team for the participation in the third East Asian Games to be held in Osaka, Japan on May 19.

Wang Zhizhi

Birth Date: July 8, 1977

Height: 2.14 m

Weight: 108 kg

Height touched: 2.85 m

Height touched with run-up: 3.7 m

100m record: 12"4

Favorite book: Divine Comedy (By Alighier, Dante)

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