HEAT Signs Wang Zhi Zhi, request Waivers on Tyrone Hill

Zhizhi, a 7’1”, 284-pound center, is in his fourth NBA season. He has appeared in 103 games with the Dallas Mavericks (2001-02) and Los Angeles Clippers (2002-03) and has averaged 5.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 10.3 minutes while shooting 41.6 percent (179-430) from the floor, 38.8 percent (64-165) from three-point range and 74.4 percent (96-129) from the foul line. Additionally he has appeared in 13 postseason contests, all with Dallas (2001 and 2002), and averaged 2.3 points, 0.8 rebounds and 5.2 minutes while shooting 41.7 percent (10-24) from the floor, 50 percent (1-2) from three-point range and 66.7 percent (6-9) from the foul line.

Selected by Dallas in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft (36th overall), he became the first NBA player from China when he signed with the Mavericks on Apr. 4, 2001 and made his NBA debut against Atlanta the next night. He signed with the Clippers as a free agent on Oct. 18, 2002 and averaged 4.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 10.0 minutes during the 2002-03 season while shooting 38.3 percent (62-162) from the floor, 34 percent (16-47) from three-point range and 72.4 percent (42-58) from the foul line. He scored a career-high 21 points against Denver on Mar. 19. Zhizhi appeared in two games with the Clippers this season and totaled four points and one block in nine minutes before being released on Nov. 21.

Prior to signing with the Mavericks, Zhizhi played five seasons (1996-01) with Bayi in the Chinese League where he averaged 22.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 139 games. He also was a member of the Chinese Olympic team in 1996 and 2000. In the 2000 Olympic Games he averaged a team-high 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 53.7 percent from the floor and 90 percent from the foul line.

Wang (pronounced WONG) is his actual last name and Zhizhi (pronounced ZHUZhu) is his first name. He will become the third HEAT player to wear number 15, following Terrence Rencher and Chris Gatling.

Hill, a 6’9”, 250-pound forward, was signed as a free agent by the HEAT on Nov. 7. He appeared in five games with Miami and averaged 1.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 7.6 minutes while connecting on three of five field goal attempts (.600) and three of four free throw attempts (.750).