Basketball star Liu Wei in talks with Australian pro teams: Report
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-23 15:22

SHANGHAI, China (AP) - Yao Ming's former teammate, Liu Wei, is in talks with a pair of Australian professional clubs on taking his game down under, official newspapers reported Wednesday.

The 25-year-old's current team, the Shanghai Sharks, have opened up discussions with the Perth Wildcats and Sydney Kings on a possible transfer, the Shanghai Daily said, quoting Liu's agent, Sha Yifeng.

Liu, a 1.9-meter (6-foot-two-inch) point guard, paired with Yao to dominate China's domestic league before the Houston Rockets star left for the NBA in 2002.

Liu already has a tryout with the NBA's Sacramento Kings under his belt, including appearances in the NBA's first-ever preseason exhibition games in China last year.

His Australian debut could come as early as next month with an appearance in the National Basketball League's All-Star game as a member of the World All-Star squad made up of non-Australian players, with a permanent transfer to come next year, the Shanghai Daily said.

"We intend this All-Star games appearance as part of our drive to open a new chapter in Liu's career," Sha was quoted as saying by the paper.

While the National Basketball League may not be as prestigious as the NBA, the level of basketball played there is "definitely higher than the Chinese domestic league," Sha said.

Sha could not be reached for comment on Wednesday and calls to the Shanghai Sharks rang unanswered.