CHN – Donewald to lead China at FIBA World Championship

BEIJING (2010 FIBA World Championship) - China have handed the reins of their national side to Shanghai Sharks boss Bob Donewald.
 
The American, who coached British outfits Derby and London Leopards before returning home to the United States and serving as an assistant coach to Paul Silas with the New Orleans Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers, drew praise this season after leading the Sharks to their first CBA Semi-Final appearance in eight years.
 
Shanghai is most famous for coaching the club that is owned by China's NBA star, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming.
 
Donewald will have a baptism of fire as the national team coach as he will lead the Chinese against Greece, Russia, Ivory Coast, Puerto Rico and hosts Turkey in Group C at the FIBA World Championship.
 
Without Yao last year because of injury, China lost in the FIBA Asia Championship Final to Iran.
 
The poor showing at home led to criticism in the media of coach Guo Shiqiang, the man that was appointed following Jonas Kazlauskas' departure after the 2008 Olympics.
 
Guo, who scouted potential opponents at the EuroBasket in Poland last year, has been retained as an assistant to Donewald.
 
The American coach spoke about the opportunity to lead the Asian giants at a news conference on Friday in Beijing.
 
"We are going to come together as a unit and we are going to make this country proud," he said.
 
Donewald also spoke about his boss in Shanghai, Yao, who missed all season in the NBA while recovering from a foot operation.
 
"This is a difficult time and a period of transition for Team China, without Yao Ming, who is injured right now, and some veteran players who are kind of tailing off at the end of their careers," Donewald admitted.
 
"We need to develop and balance that by getting the younger guys some experience."
 
Donewald will have the country's other internationally recognized player in New Jersey Nets big man Yi Jianlian.
 
The 22-year-old seven-footer played in 52 games this season with the Nets, averaging 12 points and 7.2 rebounds.
 
Donewald's appointment to the top job in China has been celebrated in Shanghai.
 
"Donewald is a very committed coach and has also shown his ability to control the game and inspire the players on the court," said Shanghai's manager, Lu Hao.
 
"We are very pleased with the job he has done and he will stay here for the next two years."
 
When asked what about what kind of team China would put on the floor, Donewald said: "We will become a team that is very united and defensive-minded with discipline."
 
FIBA