Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, September 25, 2002
Asian Basketball Glory Belongs to China: UAE Coach
China would win the final of the Asian Games basketball tournaments even if they don't play 100 percent, said Zoran "Zuba" Zupcevic, coach of the United Arab Emirates team in Busan.
China would win the final of the Asian Games basketball tournaments even if they don't play 100 percent, said Zoran "Zuba" Zupcevic, coach of the United Arab Emirates team in Busan.
"China is the future of Asia. I am really impressed of their performance at the World Championships although they had some disappointing games. I believe they are the future of world basketball." said Zupcevic, as he led his squad out of the Busan Airport on Wednesday morning.
"Even now they are not the world basketball powerhouse, they are the strongest team in Asia. I think they could win the final even if they don't play well," said Zupcevic, "China has all basketball talents and they just need more time."
Zupcevic said China have many talented players and Yao Ming is one of the most impressive one.
"Now he is a star! He is very impressive and has great talent.He must be the future of the world basketball."
Yao, the No. 1 picked of NBA Draft this year, is China's tallest player with 2.26 meters. He is offered a three-year contract with Houston Rocket after he successfully led his former club Shanghai Sharks to win its first championship in the Chinese professional basketball league.
Zupcevic keeps a low key on his team's prospect at the Asian Games, "My team is too young and all the players are amateurs. Wedon't expect too much from them and I just hope they would fight for every match and gain as much experiences as possible."