Career: Bayi (China-CBA, 1995-2001), Dallas Mavericks (NBA, 2001-02), Los Angeles Clippers (NBA, 2003), Miami Heat (NBA, 2003-05). Selected in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft (#36), by the Dallas Mavericks.

Wang Zhizhi is a pioneer as he became the first Chinese to play in the NBA in 2001. He had won four consecutive CBA titles with the Bayi Army Rockets before joining the Dallas Mavericks who selected him in the second round of the NBA Draft two years earlier. Despite his size, he failed to make his mark in the NBA. He played five seasons with the Mavericks, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat. He appeared in 137 games and averaged 4.4 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. Wang Zhizhi refused to join the Chinese National Team in 2002 to focus on his NBA career and was banned by the Federation. He had to apologize this summer to finally be reinstated. He will make his return to the National Team this summer and may replace Yao Ming if he is not healthy enough to play at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.