China's former NBA player Mengke Bateer will not play in the domestic basketball league in next season, a local newspaper reported.

The 6-foot-11-inch center's name was not included in the Beijing Duck's roster for the China Basketball Association's 2006-2007 season, according to Beijing Morning Post.

Bateer told the newspaper that he had reached an agreement with the Beijing team, the club he stayed with in the last season, adding that he is looking forward to play in Europe.

30-year-old Bateer played with the Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, and Toronto Raptors over his three-year NBA career. He then played for the National Basketball Developmental League side Huntsville Flight before returning to CBA last year.

(CRI September 12, 2006)