Menk Bateer, former San Antonio Spurs center and member of NBA Champions team, has finally found its way to stay in NBA, Oriental Sports quoted agent Xia Song as saying.

"We have accepted a contract offered by the Knicks, and the contract is very likely to be signed", said Xia Song, who also revealed they have booked tickets to New York on September 22.

According to Xia, the one-year contract, worth of US$700,000, would finally be signed after Bateer receiving a physical exmination required by the Knicks late this month in New York.

It was reported the Knicks had begun contacting Bateer as early as before the Athens Olympic Games and coach Lenny Wilkens quite admitted Bateer's presence in Chinese tional team in Athens.

China ranked 8th at the event of men's Basketball in the summer's Athens Olympic Games, but Bateer barely given any chance to play due to a waist injury. 

"We have received the offer from the Knicks about a week ago, and Wilkens should have played a key role in this", Xia Song said.

"The Knicks hope Bateer would be adapted to the their rhythms as soon as possible, and we hope Bateer could be given more time to play".

Bateer said he would treasure the chance of playing for the Knicks and would work harder for the New York side. And he just did what he said, going towards a Beijing stadium shortly after booking tickets to New York.

(China Daily September 22, 2004)