Monash Sport News

International stars join Monash basketball team

1 March 2006

The Monash men's Big V basketball team has been boosted this year by the recruitment of ex-National Basketball Association player Mr Sean McCall to play in the team.

As well, Chinese national basketballer Mr Zheng Zong Hui has been training with the team.

The Big V is one of the largest semi-professional basketball leagues in the world, with 91 teams playing across nine competitions.

Mr McCall, a former Dallas Mavericks player, was drafted from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1991 to play for the Chicago Bulls, but was sidelined with a knee injury. He played in Europe from 1991 until 1995, when he was recruited by the Dallas Mavericks and remained there for two years.

Monash Big V coach Mr Tony King said the 204 cm ex-NBA star would dominate the league with his high-flying dunks and fantastic shooting range.

"He will bring unbelievable excitement each time he takes to the court," Mr King said.

Mr Zheng, a Guangzhou Monash College student, was invited to train with the team as part of a goodwill tour.

He is visiting Monash's Clayton campus with Ms Carolyn Davis, the Monash International English Language Coordinator for Guangzhou Monash College.

Mr Zheng last month played in a practice match against the Waverley Falcons, in which Monash defeated the Falcons by eight points.

A member of the Chinese World Championship Squad, Mr Zheng said he was excited about his first visit to Australia and the opportunity to play basketball here.

He will start a Monash College diploma this year as a direct entry pathway into Monash University.

The Monash team won division two of the Big V competition last year, after defeating the Warragul Warriors in a gripping three-game series.