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Coach Confirms Wang Zhizhi to Play in NBA
China's 2.14-meter center Wang Zhizhi will become the first Asian local hoopster to play in America's National Basketball Association (NBA) next week, confirmed Wang Fei, head coach of China's national team and league's champions Bayi Rockets Saturday.
Wang Zhizhi is to play for the Dallas Mavericks who drafted him in 1999 with their first right in the 36th place of the second round.
"Wang Zhizhi will go to the NBA next week," said Wang, who led Rockets to their sixth successive title in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Wednesday after beating Shanghai Sharks 3-1 in the best of five finals.
"It's a good thing for the Chinese basketball player and good chance for Wang to improve himself. I hope Wang Zhizhi could fit in the NBA as soon as possible," Wang added.
Qian Limin, team leader of the army-run Rockets, said it is also the honor of the Chinese basketball that Wang will go to the NBA next week.
Wang Fei, who was named the coach of the national team last week, went to America last year, doing his research and study of American basketball with Dallas Mavericks for six months. His play plan and philosophy have much effects on the Rockets' success in the CBA league, which surged in recent years as the leading professional basketball league in China and Asia.
Profile of Wang ZhizhiChinese basketball player Wang Zhizhi will join America's National Basketball Association (NBA) with Dallas Mavericks next week, his Bayi Rockets club confirmed Friday.
The 2.14-meter center is serving for Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league's champions Bayi Rockets. He was drafted in the second round at 36th place by the Mavericks last season, will become the first Asian local player to play in the NBA.
Wang just led his team to their sixth straight title in the 12- team CBA league, which ended last Wednesday.
Following is the profile of the 24-year-old center of the Chinese national team:
Name: Wang Zhizhi
Age: 24 (July 8, 1977)
Born of Place: Beijing, China
Height: 2.14 meters (7-1 feet)
Position: center/forward
Career:
1995 - Won the 9th places at the World Youth Championship in Greece, named the best center of the competition and included in the All-Star squad.
1996 - Won the 8th places at the Atlanta Olympic Games in US, named in the world youth all-star squad. During the Atlanta Olympics, Wang received offers of six American colleges and invitation from America's National College Athletics Association (NCAA).
1997 - Won the 3rd places at the Asian Men's Basketball Championship in Saudi Arabia.
1998 - Won the men's basketball golds at the Bangkok Asian Games in Thailand.
1999 - Won the championship at the Asian Basketball Championships at Fukuoka, Japan.
2000 - Won the 10th places at the Sydney Olympic Games in Australia, honored the Best Center of Asia. Wang was picked 36th in the second round of the NBA draft by Dallas Mavericks in June, 30, becoming the first Asian player picked in NBA draft since 1986 China's Song Tao was picked by 1986 Atlanta Hawks but the 2.08-meter center was injured and did not make the team.
1995-2001 - Won six straight titles of the 12-team CBA League, named MVP of CBA in 1999-2000, selected in the CBA All-Star squad in each season.
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