Top Shot

Big man Scola to compete along with Yao Ming

LAS VEGAS: Argentina big man Luis Scola realized his NBA dream by joining the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

Unable to come to terms with the San Antonio Spurs to make the jump to the NBA, Scola reached a "basic agreement" with the Rockets after the club acquired his draft rights from San Antonio along with Jackie Butler for Vassilis Spanoulis and a 2009 second-round pick.

"We're working on the contract, but we've got a basic agreement, an understanding," George Bass, Scola's agent said Friday. "He's so excited, he probably didn't sleep a wink last night. He's thrilled, this has been his dream for five years."

The Rockets quickly reached an agreement on a contract worth approximately $9.3 million over three years, with a large payment upon signing from that total to help Scola pay the $3.2 million buyout from his contract with Tau Ceramica. The Rockets will also contribute $500,000, the most allowed by NBA rules, toward the buyout.

"There is nothing we would anticipate being a problem," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said.

Thai goalie flattered by Thaksin transfer target talk

BANGKOK: Thai goalkeeper Kosin Hathairattanakool is flattered by reports linking him with a move to English Premier League side Manchester City, although he is refusing to take the speculation too seriously.

Local media reported that Kosin was a transfer target of the English side's new owner, ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but the modest stopper thinks the top league in England might be a little beyond his reach.

"When I heard about these reports, I thought it was a joke," Kosin told Reuters.

"But it's a nice feeling to be linked with a big English team.

"I still have to improve. I don't think I'm ready for that yet, but if it happened, it would be like a dream," added the 25-year-old Kosin, who earns just $300 a week as a professional soccer player in Thailand.

Thaksin, who has been living in exile since he was ousted in a coup last year, recently completed an 81 million pound ($163.8 million) takeover of Manchester City, a deal he says will help improve Thai soccer.

Lima to play in fifth World Cup as Samoa names squad

MELBOURNE: Veteran Brian Lima is set to play in his fifth Rugby World Cup after being included in Samoa's 30-man squad yesterday. The 35-year-old center made his RWC debut in England in 1991 and has played in every tournament since, scoring ten tries in 16 appearances for the Pacific island.

Coach Michael Jones appointed loose-forward Semo Sititi as captain for the tournament and included 13 players based in Britain. Only five of the squad are plying their trade in Samoa.

Lima, capped 63 times, heads an experienced party for the Samoans, which also includes halfback Steve So'oialo for his third World Cup while Lome Fa'atau and Elvis Seveali'i featured in the 2003 campaign.

Samoa has been grouped with world champions England, South Africa, Tonga and the United States in Pool A in France and will open its campaign against the Springboks in Paris on September 9.

(China Daily 07/17/2007 page23)