Two big players were cut off from the Chinese men's basketball squad as the Olympic national teams were announced in Beijing on Friday.
Center Ding Jinhui and power forward Zhang Kai were left out of the team, while point guard Zhang Qingpeng and wingman Wang Lei won the four-man battle for the final two spots of the squad.
"Ding and Zhang Kai left us not because they are not good enough, but because of the balance of the positions," said Hu Jiashi, vice director of the Chinese Basketball Management Center. "Both will re-join in the national squad after the Olympic Games."
"Zhang Qingpeng is one of the best shooters of the squad and he could be a backup to 1 (point guard). Wang is the role player. He gives us lots of help on the defensive end," Hu added.
The women's counterpart was also announced. There is no much surprise for the final selection.
Chinese basketball's competitions will kick off at the Beijing Olympic Games with a women's match against Spain on August 9. The men's team plays its debut against the United States on August 10.
Men:
Chen Jianghua, Du Feng, Li Nan, Liu Wei, Sun Yue, Wang Lei, Wang Shipeng, Wang Zhizhi, Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, Zhang Qingpeng, Zhu Fangyu
Women:
Bian Lan, Chen Nan, Chen Xiaoli, Liu Dan, Miao Lijie, Shao Tingting, Song Xiaoyun, Sui Feifei, Zhang Hanlan, Zhang Wei, Zhang Xiaoni, Zhang Yu.
(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2008)