Following in the footsteps of center Yao Ming's success with the Houston Rockets, China's next major export to the American sports stage could be in the Women's National Basketball Association.

China's Sui Feifei and Miao Lijie are the players among the 13 roster spots on the Sacramento Monarchs, with both making the final roster for the club's season opener at Phoenix on Saturday.

Small forward Sui Feifei became only the second Chinese player to sign with the US women's league and guard Miao Lijie followed in March.

China's first WNBA player was Zheng Haixia, who played for the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997 and 1998, the league's first two seasons.

Monarchs coach and general manager John Whisenant said in terms of fame, Feifei is the Yao Ming of Chinese women's basketball.

Whisenant added that Miao Lijie appears to offer what the team need for the upcoming season.

The 26-year-old Feifei is a three-time Most Valuable Player of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association, having helped Baiyi win the past four Chinese crowns.

And 24-year-old Miao has led the Chinese league in scoring in each of her four WCBA seasons, all with Heilongjiang, and has spent eight years on the national team.

(CRI May 20, 2005)