Gatling gets warm welcome

JAKARTA (JP): Chris Gatling is a well known NBA basketball player but did not realize he had so many fans here.

When basketball fans greeted him yesterday at Taman Ria Senayan, in Central Jakarta, he waved and smiled, but appeared surprised by the warm welcome.

"I was astonished by the greeting of the Indonesian community and I will never forget this in my whole life time," Chris, a New Jersey Nets player, told reporters.

Chris was in Jakarta with Shaquille O'Neal, another NBA player -- from the Los Angeles Lakers --, to meet fans and take part in the Rap & Jam Tour of Asia.

O'Neal left for Australia Tuesday and Chris returned to the United States last night.

The 27-year-old Chris started his NBA career in 1991 when he joined the Golden State Warriors. In 1996 he was transferred to the Miami Heats. With the Heats, Chris played 71 games, and a year later was transferred to New Jersey Nets.

With the Nets, Chris became known as the "Gat" and "The Energizer" due to his fast play and high scoring.

His highest score was 23 points during a game against the Utah Jazz in November 1996.

Chris made his debut at the NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland this year.

Chris also loves cooking and plays golf in his spare time. He owns a barbershop called "Cut Me Twice" in Oakland, California.

Yesterday, Chris met fans at Taman Anggrek and gave a coaching clinic for Reebok Cup participants. (lnt)