Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) is to open the second annual player tryout camp at the United States Basketball Academy (USBA) near Eugene, Oregon due on August 20-28, when 14 Chinese clubs will draft foreign players during the camp.

Seventy-two professional basketball players from North America and around the world have been invited to the camp where general managers and coaches from the Chinese teams will observe them through the week of testing, games and evaluation.

Former NBA coach and USBA faculty member Bob Hill will direct the tryout camp.

At the end of the week, teams will select two players during a four-round draft event and put another two on their reserve list. Contract negotiations between players and teams take place on draft day.

"The CBA tryout camp is for talented basketball players who are committed to playing in China this coming season," said Bruce O'Neil, the USBA's founder and CEO.

"Organizing and hosting the tryout is another example of the many programs the USBA and CBA partner on to improve coaching and player development at all levels of basketball throughout China."

The CBA has invited the USBA to serve as a primary consultant for developing and implementing grassroots basketball education programs for coaches and players at all levels of competition throughout China.

China's national teams and several professional team annually train at USBA's facility in Oregon. Also the programs include hosting numerous coach and player clinics, and arranging for the USBA All Stars, college and high school teams to play games and participate in tournaments throughout the country.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2005)