The Chinese men's basketball team dropped two places on the latest international rankings released by basketball's world governing body, FIBA.

 

The lack of international competition has been blamed for China's fall to 14th place with 209 points on the FIBA world rankings.

 

The US still tops the table at 832 points, more than 100 points higher than its closest competitor.

 

The rankings are calculated on the basis of the national teams' performances at significant international competitions, like the World Championships. Youth and junior worlds are included.

 

China's rating is expected to improve after the World Championships, coming up in Japan later this month. China will play in the same group as the US (1), Italy (6), Puerto Rico (11), Slovenia (22) and Senegal (30).

 

(CRI August 7, 2006)