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Sharks keep hold of center Zhang
By Zha Minjie |
May 11, 2013, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ZHANG Zhaoxu, a much-coveted center, has extended his stay in Shanghai, signing a five-year contract with the Sharks, the Chinese Basketball Association club said yesterday.
The Sharks also named Wang Qun as head coach, making him their first domestic boss in recent years. Wang took over as acting head coach halfway through last season, replacing American Daniel Panaggio in January.
Team owner Yao Ming said the team "expects to have a bright future" with the signing of Wang and 26-year-old Zhang who has been with the Sharks for three years. Rumors had been rife recently that rival CBA teams, including the Beijing Ducks, had offered Zhang up to 5 million yuan to sign up. Sharks did not disclose details of Zhang's contract.
Last season was woeful for the Sharks, who finished 14th in the 17-team league.
Yao yesterday declined to talk about buying foreign players for the new season or whether the team will give Gilbert Arenas a new offer. The former NBA All-Star played was bothered by slew of injuries that forced him to miss some games.
The Sharks, who are in transition, are desperately eager for new starlets as some key players like captain Liu Wei are approaching the twilight of their career.
Center Zhang will apparently be the lynchpin as the Sharks regroup, much like the year Yao led the team to its only CBA championship in 2002 before heading to the NBA.
Wang said he hoped Zhang will function both at the defensive and offensive ends, "like Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers".
"The long-term objective for the team is the championship, for sure," Zhang Mingji, the general manager of the club, insisted yesterday.
The Sharks also named Wang Qun as head coach, making him their first domestic boss in recent years. Wang took over as acting head coach halfway through last season, replacing American Daniel Panaggio in January.
Team owner Yao Ming said the team "expects to have a bright future" with the signing of Wang and 26-year-old Zhang who has been with the Sharks for three years. Rumors had been rife recently that rival CBA teams, including the Beijing Ducks, had offered Zhang up to 5 million yuan to sign up. Sharks did not disclose details of Zhang's contract.
Last season was woeful for the Sharks, who finished 14th in the 17-team league.
Yao yesterday declined to talk about buying foreign players for the new season or whether the team will give Gilbert Arenas a new offer. The former NBA All-Star played was bothered by slew of injuries that forced him to miss some games.
The Sharks, who are in transition, are desperately eager for new starlets as some key players like captain Liu Wei are approaching the twilight of their career.
Center Zhang will apparently be the lynchpin as the Sharks regroup, much like the year Yao led the team to its only CBA championship in 2002 before heading to the NBA.
Wang said he hoped Zhang will function both at the defensive and offensive ends, "like Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers".
"The long-term objective for the team is the championship, for sure," Zhang Mingji, the general manager of the club, insisted yesterday.
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