Las Vegas no gamble for Ding, Zhou

NBA China boss David Shoemaker believes promising Chinese players Zhou Qi and Ding Yanyuhang seized their opportunities to shine this summer in the US.

Zhou, 21, and Ding, 23, got tongues wagging with some standout displays for the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks in the NBA's Las Vegas summer league.

Zhou has already signed a contract with Houston while last season's CBA MVP Ding looks set to stay in Dallas after making a huge impression - at one point receiving a standing ovation from fans in Vegas and being introduced by an announcer as 'Mr Summer League.'

"In the time they had on the court, they were given opportunities and they seized them, so I am very excited about their performances," said Shoemaker during last week's Jr. NBA All-Star celebration in Beijing, where Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry was the star attraction.

"I think they've proven once again the level of talent here in China, and there will be more players knocking on the door of the NBA in the near future."

Meanwhile, Yao Ming, China's biggest hoops export, dismissed speculation he is about to buy the Rockets, for whom he starred from 2002-11.

Houston owner Leslie Alexander last week announced his intention to sell the franchise despite the fact that All-Star Chris Paul has arrived in the offseason to team up with James Harden, and Carmelo Anthony mooted to sign too.

However, CBA president Yao distanced himself from a return to Texas, saying: "I have no time to consider anything else - including buying the Rockets."

Xinhua