Rockets Watch Yao Ming's Training after Talk with CBA

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, June 13, 2002

Rockets Watch Yao Ming's Training after Talk with CBA

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A delegation from the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association watched Chinese star center Yao Ming training with his national team after "impressive" meeting with Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) officials Wednesday afternoon.

"Rudy (Tomjanovich) talked with Yao Ming about ideas of playing basketball and Yao asked a few questions about Houston and the players," the Rockets team executive Michael Goldberg said Wednesday.

Profile: Yao Ming

Birthdate: 9/12/80
NBA Position: Center
Team: Shanghai Sharks
Education: Shanghai Sports College
Ht: 7-5
Wt: 295
Hometown: Shanghai, China

The Rockets delegation, consisted of Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson, coach Rudy Tomjanovich, spokesman Nelson Luis and Goldberg, was in China for meetings with CBA and the Shanghai Sharks to discuss selecting the 2.26-meter (7.5 feet) Chinese center with their first pick of the NBA draft in New York on June 26.

"CBA Commissioner Xin Lancheng and I both agreed that in terms of the discussions we should sustain it confidential for now," said Goldberg, referring to the meeting with CBA secretary general Xin Lancheng. "But we were very happy with the discussions."

"The meeting (with CBA) was very impressive," he added. "It's a good start to build up our relationship."

The Rockets delegation will fly to the United States tomorrow and continued their homework with the CBA.

"The next step will be to have further discussions with the Commissioner and the coach of the Chinese national team, trying to make sure that we both feel good about the situation," said Goldberg, "That is the next step, over the next few days."

"We'll be back if needed," he added.

The American guests arrived in Shanghai and had meetings with the Sharks general manager Li Yaomin and club president Bai Li before flying here on Wednesday.

"With the Sharks, we spent time working to avoid obstacles (for Yao to play in NBA) and we were very happy with our discussion." said Goldberg on Tuesday. "They did not see any obstacles themselves."

Yao was released to take part in the NBA draft after leading the Shanghai Sharks to their first ever CBA league title in April and the Rockets showed great interest in the 22-year-old big boy.

Yao, who is now training with the Chinese national team in their preparations for the man's basketball world championship in September, will need approvals from his club, Shanghai Sports Administration Bureau, the CBA and the State Sports General Administration to play in the NBA.

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