Miao Lijie, a star player with the Heilongjiang women's basketball team, has been banned from playing WCBA matches for the next four rounds.

The punishment was meted out in the wake of her inappropriate conduct on the court during a domestic league match last Tuesday.

Miao, who is also the national team's guard, provoked a fight with players from the rival Jilin team during the WCBA's 8th round Tuesday night.

Miao was handed a four-game suspension and a fine of 6,000 yuan, or over 700 US dollars. The other player involved in the fight received a two-game ban as well as 3,000 yuan fine. Both teams were fined 2,000 yuan.

Miao Lijie played for US WNBA's champions Sacramento Monarchs last season.

(CRI December 9, 2005)