<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Beijing Ducks, who are seeking a cooperative arrangement with the Milwaukee Bucks, play in the Chinese Basketball Association, considered the premier basketball league in the world's most populous nation. Many of China's best players, and some Americans, play in the league, which began in 1995. Yao Ming, the center for the Houston Rockets, is the best known CBA player to make it to the National Basketball Association. The Ducks, who are sponsored by a large steel company, have proposed an exchange program with the Bucks. The team also is looking to recruit American basketball players to play for the Ducks. The CBA season runs from November to April. Recent surveys show that nearly 300 million people play basketball in China, and that 40% of the country's children regard basketball as their favorite sport. The NBA has noticed. NBA officials have begun to seek closer ties to Chinese basketball officials and teams. Bucks vice president Ron Walter said Tuesday that if a deal is reached, the Bucks would consider sponsoring a clinic in Milwaukee for visiting Chinese athletes. "China and other Asian basketball players love the game and want access to the best coaching," Walter said. Mengke Bateer, a former NBA player, plays for the Ducks.</div> Source
Mengke Bateer was kind of a stiff, but he was pretty strong looking player. His name sounds Mongolian btw. At his size 6'11 300 lbs is pretty thick for most of the Asian prospects scouted by the league. At least he has a championship ring! LOL. The guy is actually an MVP of the Chinese league allstar game, so he's probably the most Shaq-like of his country.
