Basketball officials have met with former national team player Wang Zhizhi to pave the way for the basketball star's return to the national squad.

 

Wang Zhizhi, the first Asian player to make it to the NBA in March 2000, refused to return home to play for China four years ago citing that he could improve more by playing in the NBA.

 

The meeting took place Friday in the United States where the Chinese officials will observe the NBA All-Star weekend.

 

Li Yunwei, deputy chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, expressed the authorities' sincerity in welcoming back the former star player.

 

In addition, Li forwarded a message from the Chinese Army assuring the 29-year-old player that he could play for the NBA again after a possible return.

 

However, Wang, a former army officer, was obviously very cautious regarding his next steps as he declined to give any verbal commitment to returning.

 

Wang Zhizhi began to play for China at the age of 17 in 1994. He and Yao Ming have been dubbed as “China's Great Wall” on the basketball court.

 

Wang was drafted by NBA's Dallas Mavericks in March 2000 and became the first Asian player in the world's top league.

 

(CRI.com February 18, 2006)