Raptors add Chinese Bateer to line up
( 2003-07-19 10:34) (China Daily)
The Toronto Raptors acquired Chinese free-agent centre Mengke Bateer on
Thursday, one of the NBA's Asian pioneers.
The second player from his country to play in the NBA, following Chinese
international team-mate Wang Zhizhi, Mengke won an NBA championship with San
Antonio but played few games for the Spurs last season.
The 6-foot-11, 290-pound centre averaged 0.8 points and 0.8 rebounds in 12
games for the Spurs after he spent the 2001-02 season with the Denver Nuggets.
"Bateer is an established international player who hasn't had an opportunity
to prove himself at NBA level,'' Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald told
reporters.
"We feel he can provide our team with needed size and strength in the
middle.''
It was the third free-agent signing in two days for the Raptors, who acquired
New Orleans Hornets's French forward Jerome Moiso and Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Milt Palacio on Wednesday.
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