Chinese Star Bateer to Sit with Spurs for NBA Finals

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, June 10, 2003

Chinese Star Bateer to Sit with Spurs for NBA Finals

Chinese basketball player Bateer, who played with San Antonio Spurs, said on Monday that he will stay with the NBA giant throughout the finals though he has not been selected in the playoff squad.

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Chinese basketball player Bateer, who played with San Antonio Spurs, said on Monday that he will stay with the NBA giant throughout the finals though he has not been selected in the playoff squad.

The Chinese center said he had been asked by Spurs to train with the squad and travel between New Jersey and San Antonio for the ongoing finals, which Spurs led 2-1.

Bateer has played only for a short period of time since joining Spurs last season but he appeared relieved that he could be awarded a champion's ring should his team win the title.

He could have joined the Chinese national team to prepare forthe upcoming Asian championships, which also serves as a qualifying competition for the Athens Olympic Games.

"I cannot return home before July 1," said Bateer, a player from China's minority nationality Mongolia.

After Bateer's contract with Spurs expires at the end of the season, the NBA finalist will decide before July 1 whether to renew his deal.

Bateer hopes to renew the contract with the club before his return to China, but it is apparently not the right time for Spurs,who are so busy with the Finals.

"I have to wait until July," Bateer admitted.

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