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Charting Yao At The Worlds

Rockets center takes on the world's best at 2002 World Championships
Yao Ming and China participated in the FIBA World Championships in Indianapolis from August 29 through September 8. China finished 12th in the 16-team tournament but Yao showed the rest of the world his skills, finishing third among all World Championsip participants with 21.0 points per game. Following are notes, quotes, box scores and video highlights from each of China's games in the tournament.


Classification Games

China vs. Angola
September 7 - Yao Ming delivered another solid performance Saturday in his final appearance at the World Championships but it wasn't enough to prevent China from dropping a 96-84 decision to Angola. Yao poured in 27 points and 15 rebounds for China, which finished 12th in the 16-team tournament. In eight World Championship games Yao averaged 21.0 points on an amazing .753 field goal percentage, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.5 blocks in just 28.1 minutes per game. The 7-6 center showed flashes of brilliance but was limited by opposing defenses that were geared to stop him. Next up for Yao is the Asian Games, which he will participate in from September 29 through October 14. He is then expected to join Rockets training camp in mid-October.

  • China-Angola Recap | Notes | Quotes | Box Score



    • China vs. Turkey
    September 6 - Yao Ming poured in 26 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, handed out five assists and blocked a couple of shots but it wasn't enough as China dropped a 94-86 decision to Turkey in a classification game Friday at the World Championships. Yao nailed 10 of his 13 field goal attempts and is shooting a sizzling .857 from the field over his last two games. China will meet Angola in the 11th place game on Saturday.

  • China-Turkey Recap | Notes | Quotes | Box Score









    Second Round

    • China vs. New Zealand
    September 4 - Yao Ming was perfect Wednesday but his China temmates were not as New Zealand bounced back from a 22-point deficit to defeat China 94-88 in second round play at the World Championships. Yao did not miss a shot all evening, nailing all eight of his field goal attempts and 11 straight free throws to finish with 27 points. The 7-6 center also added seven rebounds. Yao also picked up his first technical foul of the tournament after becoming frustrated with the officiating. "I wear my emotions on my face,” Yao said. China will continue play on Friday against Turkey in a classification game.

  • China-New Zealand Recap | Notes | Quotes | Box Score





    • China vs. Russia
    September 3 - Despite being without star Andrei Kirilenko, Russia seized command early and cruised to a 95-68 victory over China on Tuesday in second round play at the World Championships. With the loss China (1-4) has been officially eliminated from medal-round contention. Once again Yao Ming faced a swarming defense that prevented him from getting many touches. Yao was limited to just six field goal attempts and finished with 13 points and nine rebounds. Through the first five games of the World Championships, Yao has averaged 17.6 points on .711 field goal accuracy, 7.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks despite attempting just 7.6 shots per game. China will wrap up second round action tonight against New Zealand.

  • China-Russia Recap | Notes | Quotes | Box Score



    • China vs. Argentina
    September 2 - Argentina jumped out to a big first quarter lead and rolled to an easy 95-71 win over China on Monday in second round play at the World Championships. Using a suffocating defense against Yao Ming, Argentina held the 7-6 center to just one point and no shot attempts in the first quarter as China fell behind 32-14 after one period. Yao was only able to muster four shots for the entire game and finished with 11 points and four rebounds. China will take on Russia on Tuesday before wrapping up second round action on Wednesday against New Zealand.

  • China-Argentina Recap | Notes | Quotes | Box Score




    Preliminary Round

    • China vs. U.S.
    August 31 - China gave the U.S. all it could handle for one half Saturday during the 2002 World Championships, but the U.S. pulled away late to take an 84-65 victory. Once again hampered by foul trouble, Yao Ming's presence had little effect on the outcome as the 7-6 center was limited to 10 points, six boards and two blocks in just 26 minutes of action. Next up for Yao and China is a second round battle with Argentina on Monday.

  • China-U.S. Recap | Notes | Quotes | Box Score

  • VIDEO: China-U.S. highlights 56k | 300k


    • China vs. Algeria
    August 30 - This time there was no foul trouble. A day after seeing limited minutes in an 88-76 loss to Germany in the opening game of the World Championships, Yao Ming dominated the much smaller Algeria squad with 38 points, 13 rebounds, eight blocks and three assists in leading China to a 96-82 victory. Had Yao managed two more blocks he would have become the first person in World Basketball Championship history to record a triple-double. Algeria, with no player taller than 6-9, didn't stand a change against the 7-6 center. “We tried to avoid Yao getting the ball,” Algerian coach Billal Faid said. “We fouled a lot, but we couldn’t avoid him getting the ball.”

  • Recap | Notes | Quotes | Box Score



    • China vs. Germany
    August 29 - Yao gets into early foul trouble and is never really a factor as China falls behind early and never threatens in the 88-76 loss. Yao is limited to just 17 minutes in the contest due to his foul difficulties but still manages to score 16 points, grab five boards and block a shot. Dirk Nowitzki, whom Yao will get to know quite well when rivals Houston and Dallas hook up during the NBA season, poured in 30 points to lead Germany to the win.

  • Recap | Notes | Quotes | Box Score

  • VIDEO: China-Germany highlights 56k | 300k