Chinese basketball star Yao Ming said China has missed a precious chance to play the United States in next year's Athens Olympics, reports said on Monday.

The Houston Rockets center told Shanghai Morning Post: "I prefer playing US Dream Team Six in the Olympics. We don't have many chances to play against so many stars."

China was drawn on Saturday in Pool A with New Zealand, Italy, Spain, Argentina and reigning world champions Serbia and Montenegro while the US team is in Pool B with Angola, Australia, Greece, Lithuania and Puerto Rico.

"It's impossible for us to beat Serbia and Montenegro, but we have chance to beat New Zealand and Italy," Yao said.

He added: "There are nine months before the Olympics. We have enough time to prepare for it."

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