Olympic Legends - Miao lights up home crowd

SYDNEY (Olympics) - Lijie Miao made sure in 2008 that she would go down as one of China's finest-ever players.

She not only played for her country at the Beijing Games but finished as the tournament's leading scorer, averaging 17.9 points per game.

The Chinese, due in large part to the 1.78m small forward, reached the Semi-Finals of that competition.

They played in front of huge crowds, and all of her compatriots cheered wildly on the 19th of August when, in their most notable victory of the Olympics, Miao made three of five shots from behind the arc and poured in a game-high 28 points to lead China past Belarus, 77-62, in the last eight.

In every game the Chinese played, Miao reached double figures in points.

She shot a scintillating 50% (15 of 30) from behind the arc - tied with Russia's Becky Hammon (also 15 of 30) as the best three-point shooter in the competition.

Miao was also number one in free-throw shooting, burying 32 of her 36 attempts for a very impressive 88.9%.

Last year, Miao continued to pour in the points, averaging 13 per game as China won the FIBA Asia Championship to reach the London Games.

She was named MVP of the tournament.

“I am thrilled that people still think I am that good,” she said.

“Most importantly, my coach and teammates think I am good enough help them.

“And I am glad I am able to keep their faith.

“My biggest happiness is standing on the podium and listening to the Chinese National Anthem.”

In Britain, Miao will play in her third straight Olympics.

FIBA