InterBasket >
Player Profiles >
Wang Zhizhi, China
>
talk
Ibn Notes: Believe it or not, Yao Ming wasn't the first Chinese
player to play in the NBA. It was Wang Zhizhi. After being drafted
by the Dallas Mavericks, the Chinese superstar had a following of Chinese fans
in every city, fans hoping to catch the 7-0 sharpshooter displaying his
multitudes of skills pm the cpurt. However, Zhizhi found himself being
used sparingly in Dallas with the development of Dirk
Nowitzki and
hustling role-player Eduardo
Najera. During
the summer of 2002, China called for Wang Zhizhi to come back to China to train
with their national team for the World Championships... after weeks of back and
forth, Wang disappeared. After 60 games in Dallas and his flat-out refusal
to go home to China, Wang reappeared in Los Angeles, where he announced that he
would not be going home to China. Instead, he said that he was
participating in the Clipper's summer League. Chinese officials were not
happy (and this had repercussions on Yao Ming's entry into the league the next
year) Zhizhi worked hard to impress, unfortunately, the hope of more
minutes did not develop with the Clippers as he had hoped. He was later
waived and then signed by the Miami Heat, where playing time is again sparse for
Wang Zhizhi. And it's not looking good this season for Wang as the Heat
obtained Antoine Walker.
|
王治郅 Profile
Name: Wang Zhizhi (Wong
Schoo-Schoo)
Position: Center/Forward
Born: 07/08/1977
Status: Active
Origin: Beijing, China
Height: 7-1/2,16m
Weight: 275lbs./124,7kg
Schools: N/A
Drafted: 1999, Second Round, 36th pick by Dallas Mavericks
Languages: Chinese (Mandarin)
Website:
InterBasket
Teams (jersey): Chinese National Team (15), Bayi Rockets (14), Dallas
Mavericks (16), Los Angeles Clippers (16), Miami Heat (15)
IBN Facts: The first Chinese player to play in the NBA. to Along
with Chinese national team teammates
Yao Ming (7-6) nd
Mengke Bateer (6-10)
to form what has become known as "The Walking Great Wall (of China)"
In the 1999-2000 CBA regular season, Zhizhi was named MVP of the season, the
All-Star Game, and the Finals. He also won the Slam Dunk contest
that season.
Wang currently resides in Los Angeles during the offseason with his wife, Song
Yang and their son, Jerry.
Time
Asia.com: Yao ming may have been this year's No. 1 NBA draft pick,
making him the man who could someday fill Shaq's immense shoes. But before Yao
mania there was Wang Zhizhi, the first Chinese basketball player to play in the
NBA. Wang was Yao's mightiest rival back in China, and continues to one-up him
in at least one vital way. In the NBA, badness is synonymous with coolness, and
25-year-old Wang is the baddest Chinese athlete in history. Last summer, he
quasi-defected from his home country. His three-year, $6 million contract with
the Los Angeles Clippers may seem puny compared with Yao's $18.03 million for
four years, but Yao will be forking over a big chunk to his old bosses back in
the mainland. And while Wang is settling into a new bachelor pad in L.A., Yao is
living in the U.S. with his mommy. How cool is that?
|