US stars to join CBA Summer League

CHANGZHI, Shanxi province: "Rain man" Shawn Kemp and Jay Williams, the NBA's second overall draft pick in 2002, will lead a group of American basketball players in the ongoing Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Summer League in Changzhi, Shanxi province and play an exhibition match on Aug 9 in a bid to be drafted by CBA teams.

The league, launched last year by the CBA, the sport's governing body, and Lu'an Group, a local chemical, energy and mining firm, aims to emulate the NBA Summer League as a way of tuning up for the new season, testing young players and drafting overseas talent.

"Although the CBA Summer League was set up just last year, it has already been a great success thanks to the support of local firms such as Lu'an Group," said Zhang Xiong, director of the CBA's League Office.