Foreign media presence shows expanding appeal
NEW YORK: The number of international media covering the 2007 NBA Draft is at an all-time high thanks to interest in Yi Jianlian and French star Joakim Noah.
The Draft, which was to be televised to fans in 115 countries and regions in 18 languages, is being covered by a gaggle of 30 reporters from China, including 10 from Yi's home Guangdong Province.
"This is obviously worth the trip. I've racked up thousands of kilometers following Yi to Los Angeles and sultry New York," said Wang Yayun, a reporter from King Sports in Guangzhou.
CCTV-5, the country's chief sports broadcaster, was to screen the draft live for the first time since its NBA coverage began in 1987.
Fans in France will receive comprehensive NBA Draft coverage including a special feature on Canal+France, highlighting Joakim Noah and his family. His father is tennis legend Yannick Noah, and his grandfather Zacharie is a former professional soccer player. Both were to accompany Joakim at the Draft.
"This is going to be huge in France because Noah is expected to be picked higher than previous French NBA stars, Tony Parker and Boris Diaw," said Samyr Hamoudi, a reporter for Canal+. "Since Noah's father is loved in France and they are considered a family sports dynasty, people in France are very excited to follow Joakim in the NBA."
Other top international prospects include Tiago Splitter of Brazil, Rudy Fernandez, brother of WNBA rookie guard Marta Fernandez of the Los Angeles Sparks, Marc Gasol, brother of Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol, Marco Belinelli of Italy and Finn Petteri Koponen.
Players from countries such as Croatia, Turkey, Bosnia, Latvia, Serbia, Australia, Ukraine and Lithuania have also been mentioned as potential draft picks. In the 2006 NBA Draft, 17 international players were selected.
(China Daily 06/29/2007 page22)
