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Wednesday, March 28, 2001
Wang could play as soon as April 5
Associated Press
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BEIJING – Wang Zhizhi, an officer in the Chinese military and the first Asian to join the NBA, accepted his jersey Thursday from his new team, the Dallas Mavericks.
He said he hoped to make China less of a mystery for Americans.
"In America, many people don't understand China. All they know about China is the Great Wall and the giant panda," the 7-foot-1 center said at a news conference. "The rest they know nothing about.
"I can be an emissary to tell them that China has great people,
a good environment and many young people working for a good
future."
The 23-year-old planned to leave later Thursday for Dallas.
His army-run team, the Bayi Rockets, had refused to release its
star when Dallas drafted him in 1999. After two years of
negotiations, Chinese officials agreed to let him play for the
Mavericks for the rest of the season.
Dallas assistant coach Donnie Nelson presented Wang with a white
No. 16 Mavericks jersey. Photographers, TV cameramen and reporters
swamped Wang as Nelson and Chinese officials – including an army
officer in uniform – signed an agreement for Wang's transfer.
"I think everybody here understands that this is more than just a basketball player going to the NBA," Nelson said. "Wang Zhizhi is synonymous (with) and represents the spirit of China. He has great potential and he is on the rise."
"Basketball in China is ready to explode. All it needs is a spark," he added. "I hope today is that spark."
Wang's first game could be against the Atlanta Hawks on April 5, though Nelson and Wang both said he would need time to adapt to the United States and the NBA.
Nelson said foreign players normally take two years to adjust and Wang, like any other player, would have to earn a spot on the team.
"The people of China need to be patient," said Nelson. "This is a very difficult step. He is playing against the best athletes in the world."
A full-page article in the China Sports Daily listed such minutiae as his blood type – O – and his favorite foods – roast duck and mutton hotpot. Photos in the newspaper showed a smiling Wang wearing a cowboy hat.
Dressed in a low-key argyle sweater at the news conference, Wang
looked and sounded more like a shy college kid than a sought-after
recruit to the NBA. When he accepted the Mavericks jersey from
Nelson, Wang looked even gawkier by putting it on directly over his
sweater.
"Of course, once I reach America, there'll be a period when I'm
not used to it," said Wang. "But I'll narrow the gap as quickly
as possible because I'm the first to go and carrying lots of
people's hopes. I'll strive not to disappoint people and do my
utmost to prove my worth."
Nelson said the Mavericks "fully expect" Wang to play for them
next season, too, and hope to sign a two-year contract. Wang also was
hopeful that Chinese officials would approve another NBA season
next year.
"I think it should be OK. After the first step, the rest should
be easier," he said. "The first step is hardest."
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