Chinese center Wang Zhizhi, the first Asian to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), has refuted a report by the Dallas Morning News on Thursday that he could be contemplating defection to the United States.
Wang is tuning up for the NBA Summer League in July to prepare for the upcoming World Basketball Championship in Indianapolis and winning more playing minutes in the coming NBA seasons.
In a telephone interview from Los Angeles, Wang said: "Attending the Summer League is my long time wish and, therefore, I did not go back to China after the Mavericks ended their season in the play-offs. I have told this to the press for a long time and I don't know why the reporter from the Dallas Morning News has made it political.
"The NBA is the best basketball league in the world. I'm preparing for the Summer League to enhance my skills both on the boards and on the offensive end. I've had limited playing minutes this season, but I'm confident of my strength and I hope to have better performances later on."
Wang, drafted in 1999 but signed with the Dallas Mavericks in April last year, had his NBA debut on the 5th when he scored six points and three rebounds against Atlanta Hawks.
"Right now, I'm training in Los Angeles without the knowledge of the Mavericks - they didn't know where I was," said Wang, whose contract with the Mavericks came to an end as the club completed its season in May.
"I'm in regular contact with the Chinese Basketball Administration (CBA). Our national team will come to the US to train for the Worlds when the Summer League comes to an end in July. I will join them for the Worlds (slated from August 29 to September 8)."
Xin Lancheng, director of the CBA, confirmed Wang's words of keeping in contact but said: "It is not necessary to make any announcement on the issue at present."
Despite his .417 field goal percentage and .500 long-range shooting percentage, Wang failed to have a starter's status at the Mavericks which boasts a bunch of star players including Canadian Steve Nash, German Dirk Nowitzki and American Michael Finley.
In a mid-season trade, the Mavericks acquired center Raef LaFrentz and point guard Nick Van Exel, which further minimized the minutes for the Chinese player.
Wang played an average of 6 minutes in the first round NBA play-offs of the season and was reduced further in the Western Conference semi-finals for an average 5.2 points despite his 6-of-10 shooting including 3-of-4 three pointers.
Wang had his NBA career-record 18 points from his personal best of seven field goals and 25 minutes in the game against the Memphis Grizziles on March 23.
(China Daily June 10, 2002)
