Gatling gets warm welcome

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)