Clippers sign center Wang

Clippers sign center Wang

Agence France-Presse, Los Angeles, California

Chinese center Wang Zhizhi became a member of the Los Angeles
Clippers on Friday after the Dallas Mavericks decided not to
match their rival's offer.

On Oct, 1, Wang, a restricted free agent, signed a three-year
offer sheet, which the Mavericks had 15 days to match. That
period expired Thursday, and Wang signed with the Clippers.

The 2.15m Wang figures to back up Michael Olowokandi at
center. He has excellent range on his jump shot but is not an
overwhelming low post player.

Wang became the first Chinese player to appear in a National
Basketball Association game during the 2000-01 season, when he
averaged 4.8 points in five games with the Mavericks.

Last season, he averaged 5.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 55
games with the Mavericks.

Wang cannot be dealt before Dec. 15 and has the right to veto
any trade for a 12-month period. However, he likely is not going
anywhere as the Clippers' big men Olowokandi, Elton Brand and
Lamar Odom all are injured.

The Clippers were expected to hold a news conference to
introduce Wang on Monday.

In the offseason, Wang ran afoul of the Chinese government
when he refused to return to his homeland and play for the
national team, instead playing with the Golden State Warriors'
entry in a summer league.

Earlier this month the China Basketball Association (CBA)
dismissed Wang from the national team for "indiscipline and
indifference to the interest of the nation".

Mavericks' coach Don Nelson said on Thursday that Dallas had
already apologized to Chinese basketball officials for the
player's failure to return as promised.

"The main reason we're not matching is that Wang signed a
contract with his country that he would return there in our off-
season to play for their national team," Nelson told the Morning
News.

"When Wang broke that contract, he also broke his word with
us. We have apologized to the China Basketball Association and
made it clear that we were in no way part of the reason why Wang
never went back."