'Female Yao' a head above the rest

But her coaches still have faith that she could become something special. Guangzhou's coach, Zheng Wei, admitted that she is still young and growing. The coach said the team has given her a special training program and believes she'll be able to bulk up in no time.

Despite her limited time on the floor at the City Games, Wei's coach said she performed well.

"I asked her to play a maximum of twenty minutes in order to protect her," Zheng said. "She averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds - her performance was good."

Wei began her career in the WCBA league in 2004. In her debut match she played five and half minutes, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound.

She has progressed steadily since then, averaging 17 points a game since she was dropped from the roster in the Doha Asian Games.

"I think my speed is OK but my techniques are just so-so," she admitted. "I do well in blocks and defense. But what I badly need is to increase my weight. I should be over 100kg."

Gong Luming was upbeat about Wei's potential: "It totally depends on her devotion to the sport, but up to now she has made steady progress."

It may be a while before Wei reaches Yao Ming's level of success, but the giant teen from Shanxi is on the right path.

Xinhua