CHN - Giant Chinese center Sun pens deal with ABA team

CHEVY CHASE (ABA) - Sun Ming Ming, the 7ft 9in Chinese center who has battled a life-threatening illness to pursue his dream of playing basketball, has signed a professional contract to play for the Maryland Nighthawks of the ABA.

Sun, 23, was introduced at a press conference in which the Nighthawks billed him as the tallest player ever to play professional basketball.

For Sun, it is another step on a tortuous journey.

Having arrived in the United States in February 2005 hoping to impress NBA scouts, Sun learned that the growth disorder which gave him his enormous height was also threatening his life.

Two surgeries - largely funded through donations - followed, and after a vigorous training programme Sun is fit enough to play competitive basketball again.

Sun, who speaks limited English, said little at his introduction, but left no doubt as to where he wants his journey to end.

"I hope I make it to the NBA," he said.

Tom Doyle, president of the ABA and a co-owner of the Nighthawks, believes Sun has every chance of achieving that goal.

"Sun's skills are tremendous," he said. "There hasn't been a player this big at this young of an age that has the skills he has at this point. It's really a pleasure to have him here.

"Obviously we'd like to keep him here the entire season, but if someone upstairs in the NBA wants a look at him, we're not standing in the way of any of our players."

Sun was presented with a size XXXXXXL jersey bearing the number 79 in a play on his most famous statistic, his height.

Since arriving in the States, Sun has previously only had one short, injury-hit spell with the Dodge City Legend in the USBL, where he grew frustrated with his inability to get minutes on the court.

That will not be a problem in Maryland.

Asked whether Sun would be in his starting five, Nighthawks coach Will Rankin said: "Most definitely".

"I've seen great players. I've coached several big men. This is certainly the tallest guy I've ever coached. His skills and adaptation is second to none. He picks up stuff very rapidly, His IQ to the game is abnormally high."

Sun is set to make his debut in Saturday night's meeting with the Strong Island Sound.

Ian Parker
FIBA