Chinese Center Wang Prepares for NBA Summer League

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, June 07, 2002

Chinese Center Wang Prepares for NBA Summer League

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With the World Basketball Championship in Indianapolis upcoming, Chinese center Wang Zhizhi, the first Asian to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), is tuning up for the NBA Summer League in July to win more playing minutes in the coming NBA seasons.

In a telephone interview this afternoon, Wang said from Los Angeles that "NBA is the best basketball league in the world. I'm preparing for the Summer League to enhance my skills both on the boards and on the offensive end."

"I've been limited to the playing minutes in the season, but I'm confident of my strength and I hope to have better performance later on," he said.

Wang, who was drafted in 1999 but signed with the Dallas Mavericks in April 2001, had his NBA debut on April 5, 2001 when he scored six points and three rebounds against Atlanta Hawks. He played five games in 2000-01 season and 55 games this season for an average 10.6 minutes per game.

"Right now, I'm training in Los Angeles without the knowledge of the Mavericks, they didn't know where I am," said Wang, whose contract with the Mavericks came to an end as the club completed its games in the season in May.

"I'm in regular contacts with the (Chinese) Basketball Administrative Center. Our national team will come to the U.S. to train for the Worlds when the Summer League comes to an end in July," said Wang, adding that "I will join them for the Worlds (slated from August 29 to September 8 in Indianapolis)."

Despite his .417 field goal percentage and .500 long-range shooting percentage, Wang failed to have his first start in the Mavericks which boast of a bunch of star players of Canadian Steve Nash, German Dirk Nowitzki and American Michael Finley.

In a mid-season trade, the Mavericks acquired center Raef LaFrentz and point guard Nick Van Exel, which further minimized the minutes for the Chinese center-player.

Wang played an average of 6.0 minutes in the first round NBA playoffs of the season and was reduced further in the Western Conference semifinals for an average 5.2 points despite his 6-of-10 shooting including 3-of-4 three pointers.

Wang had his NBA career-record 18 points from his personal most of seven field goals and 25 minutes in the game against the Memphis Grizziles on March 23, 2002.

Wang Zhizhi Bridges Chinese Basketball with World

By signing a two-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks on April 4, Chinese center Wang Zhizhi is set to make a historical debut as the first Asian player to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the most competitive basketball league in the world.

At the 2000 Olympic Games, Wang averaged a team-leading 13.5 ppg and added five rebounds while playing only 26.8 minutes per game. He shot 53.7 percent from the field and 90 percent from the free throw line. He scored a team-high 13 points against the United States in the only game the two countries played.

Personal Info. of Wang
	Birth Date:	07/08/1977	Birthplace:	Beijing, China
	College	None
	Drafted	1999 Round 2 #36 Dallas Mavericks
Height:	7-1	Weight:	220

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