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Memphis to recruit in China?

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The University of Memphis signed an agreement with the Chinese Basketball Association that will include coach John Calipari running a series of coaching clinics and camps throughout China. Calipari said his efforts would plant a recruiting seed in China, a country with a population of 1.3 billion and a love for basketball. But he said he was unsure of the logistics of recruiting in China in terms of NCAA eligibility rules.

New York Times

John Calipari , Ronald Martinez/Getty Images John Calipari , Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
September 20, 2007  07:04 AM ET

I have been to China and the passion that the Chinese have for basketball is immense. The only problem is I doubt that the average Chinese player is good enough to play at the D1 level, and the above average/star player would probably be forced by the Government to play for the Chinese Basketball Association.

Good move for Calipari though, to go further spread the game beyond the U.S. border.

September 20, 2007  09:42 AM ET

Ummm....aren't chinese like 4'-8" tall?

September 20, 2007  09:54 AM ET

Did the NCAA expand the amount of available scholarships to 1 Billion?

September 20, 2007  12:00 PM ET

Yeah upon average they are short but they are pretty skilled players. I actually went to a Chinese Basketball Association game in Guangzhou and the Chinese that were actually playing were solid technical players.

Although, the American players on both teams were definitely the stars.

September 20, 2007  12:17 PM ET

This would be win-win...you get guys that can play some ball and make some

September 20, 2007  12:37 PM ET

that's funny

September 20, 2007  02:32 PM ET

Peoples' Chicken, that was racist.

Calipari just wants free chicken and broccoli after practices and home games.

September 20, 2007  03:41 PM ET

Nah, chicken wings and fried rice. See you Jersey cats got it all wrong. In Brooklyn its chicken wings and fried rice, or some french fries if you don't want the rice.

Dang!!

September 20, 2007  03:42 PM ET

In all seriousness I applaud Calipari. China is an untapped market for College Basketball and if he can find one player that can give him an advantage by all means go for it.

September 21, 2007  02:02 AM ET

China is a burgeoning basketball nation, the crowd loves it!
More and more Chinese Big Boys are attempting the NBA arena, and some already made it.
See how crazy the Chinese NBA fan population grows!
They just haven't had any chance to know more about American basketball besides the NBA.
But NBA is not the only thing we got and we have much more to show and proud of! Don't we?

I cheer for Coach Cal's effort, and hope more effort will be made to spread the real basketball culture.

September 21, 2007  02:35 AM ET

Are all the Chinese college kids as tall as Yao Ming?
If so, that will make a BIG difference to the NCAA games~!

September 21, 2007  03:01 AM ET

something to say about the Chinese food, I really miss the Beijing roasted duck, and the mouthwatering aroma... >_<|||

September 21, 2007  07:06 PM ET

Nice! No one loves Memphis soul food quite like the Chinese!

 
September 22, 2007  12:04 PM ET

After reading the article and then everyone's comments I have forgot, are we talking basketball or food?

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