Wang Zhizhi 王治郅
Gender: M
Date of birth: 1977-07-08
Hometown: Beijing
Height: 2.16m
Weight: 116kg
Sport: Basketball
Career:
In 1999, Wang Zhizhi became the first Chinese player selected in the NBA draft, when the Dallas Mavericks picked him 36th overall. But his basketball club (Army) and Chinese officials did not allow him to join the Mavericks until late in the 2000-01 season. In five years in the NBA, Wang played for three teams—the Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat. He averaged 4 points and 2 rebounds over his career. He left the NBA after the 2004-05 season, after five years mired in conflict and confusion between Wang, the NBA and China's CBA. He rejoined the national team in 2006 after making a public apology to Chinese officials.
Wang's early career:
Wang Zhizhi began playing with China's Army basketball club in 1994 at the age of 17 and later joined the CBA's Bayi Rockets. He played for China at the 1995 FIBA Junior World Championship.
In the Olympics:
Wang averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where China finished 8th.
Wang averaged 14 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. China finished 10th.
Personal:
Wang's father, Wang Weijun, is 1.96 meters tall and his and mother, Ren Huanzhen, is 1.86 meters tall. He is married and has a son.
Links:
Interview with Wang at Good Luck Beijing 2008 Test Event NBA Hoopedia entry on Wang