Both established NBA stars and untried rookies finding a home in Chinese league

Following Stephon Marbury's success with the Beijing Ducks, it was no surprise to see other NBA players, including stars like Metta World Peace, ply their trade in China.

But unlike years ago, today's imports to the Chinese Basketball Association are coming at a younger age.

In July, the CBA's Guangdong Southern Tigers signed Emmanuel Mudiay, the No 1 high school guard in the US and a potential No 1 pick in the 2015 NBA draft, to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million.

Mudiay, 18, has opted to use the CBA rather than the US collegiate route as a springboard to his NBA career.

Since 2006, players have not been allowed to enter the NBA draft directly from high school. The rules now state they will gain eligibility for draft selection one year after their high school graduation and they must also be at least 19 years old as of the end of the calendar year of the draft.

"I think it's very exciting that a younger American is playing in China," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said during a round-table chat with media in Shanghai on Oct 10.

"My position on the draft is that right now the minimum age of coming into the NBA is 19. I would prefer it to be 20. Whether those young players get the additional basketball experience playing in college in the United States or in the CBA, I think it's very positive for the NBA that players have that experience before playing in our league.

"And I think it's terrific for a player who, for whatever reason, doesn't want to play in college before entering the NBA, there is the option of playing in China."

Meanwhile, the growing number of NBA players joining the CBA doesn't concern the commissioner, who believes an increase in the quality of basketball in China will benefit the NBA.

"I like to see NBA players or former NBA players coming to play in China and I do not see this as competition," Silver said. "I think the CBA is quickly developing as the No 1 destination after the NBA for many great players.

"We recognize that there is plenty of room in the marketplace for more than the NBA for basketball fans. We believe that fans who love the CBA will have an even greater appreciation for our league, where the very best players in the world participate."

The CBA season tips off on Nov 1 and will feature 44 foreign players, including former NBAers World Peace, 35, of the Sichuan Blue Whales, Andray Blatche (28) and Jordan Crawford (26) of the Xinjiang Flying Tigers and Delonte West (31) and Michael Beasley (25) of the Shanghai Sharks.

World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, has already won the hearts of some Chinese before the season has even started.

Sichuan is known for its panda sanctuaries and World Peace announced on Twitter in August that his Chinese name would be "The Pandas' Friend". He wore specially designed "panda-friendly" sneakers in his debut in the province for a preseason game on Oct 10.

When David Shoemaker, CEO of NBA China, told Silver about the special shoes during the media chat, the NBA commissioner smiled and said: "I look forward to seeing how Metta World Peace does in the CBA. His playing here will make your job more interesting."

xujingxi@chinadaily.com.cn