Raptors add Chinese Bateer to line up
(China Daily)
Updated: 2003-07-19 10:34

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.