Sharks to Decide Yao's NBA Future in AprilChina's phenomenal center Yao Ming could hope for the best as the Shanghai Sharks will decide his journey to America's National Basketball Association (NBA) in April, top official of the CBA league's club said Wednesday in Ningbo."There is also space of chance for Yao to join NBA next season, " said Li Yaomin, chief director of the club. "The club will discuss the issue next month after the (Chinese Basketball Association) finals." The Sharks said previously that Yao, 20, would not be available for the June's draft because their requests to release Yao received no answers from NBA and agents. Li stressed Yao could go to NBA only at appropriate time, for an appropriate team and under appropriate conditions, but he said the club is willing to let Yao go. "It's a good thing for Chinese basketball if Yao Ming goes to NBA, and also a self-success for himself. We will not give any barriers on his way to NBA. We'd like to announce Yao's availability for the draft as soon as tomorrow if our requests are met," Li said before the start of the third game of the finals between Sharks and defending champions Bayi Rockets, when the best-of-five series is tied at 1- 1. Yao, 7-5, is the most promising basketball player in China, and ESPN magazine predicted in the December issue that Yao is good enough to be selected as No.1 in the draft. Li said Yao would have better chance to leave could the Sharks win the league championship for the first time in the franchise history. Some NBA agents, like David Falk, Michael Jordan's agent, and Bill Duffy, an agent for NBA players Steve Nash and Antonio Davis, had talks with the club, Li confirmed. "We don't care who becomes Yao's agent to NBA. What we concerned is that the club's and Yao's behalf are protected." Yao has been recruited in the national squad, which to play the East Asian Games in May and Asian Basketball Championship in July. He will play for Shanghai in the qualifying tournament and the final of the 9th National Games and will not be spared until November, Li said. |
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