Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, June 20, 2002
Yao Ming Gets Green Light for NBA Season: Lawyer
The Houston Rockets have received assurances that potential No. 1 overall pick in the National Basketball Association draft, Yao Ming, will be able to play a full season, the Houston Chronicle reported on Wednesday.
The Houston Rockets have received assurances that potential No. 1 overall pick in the National Basketball Association draft, Yao Ming, will be able to play a full season, the Houston Chronicle reported on Wednesday.
Rockets lawyer Michael Goldberg told the newspaper that talks between Chinese basketball officials and the Rockets have been successful.
"I believe everything will be worked out," Goldberg told the paper.
"Yao Ming is considered a national treasure. We have to take it step by step. All indications are internally things will work out."
If the Rockets pick the 2.25-metre (7-foot, 5-inch) Chinese centre, Yao will make NBA history by becoming the first player from outside the United States to be selected first overall.
The only issue left to resolve is how much compensation Yao would pay his Shanghai Sharks club for his release.
"Oh absolutely. Yes," said Yao's US representative, John Huizenga, when asked if he was confident the China Basketball Association, the Sharks and other officials would send their recommendation to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in time to beat the deadline for the draft.
"There are very strong reasons to have this complete," said Huizenga. "I'm encouraged that the progress we're seeing is coming much more quickly.
"People have been very pleased with the prospect of Yao playing in Houston. We're still trying to wrap things up."