FORMER Chinese international Ma Jian is set to become the first Asian basketballer to break into the NBA after signing a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The 25-year-old forward, who played US Collegiate basketball for University of Utah in the past two seasons, is among four new players signed by the Clippers during the summer.
'It makes me feel like a hero to be the first Asian player drafted for the NBA, but I've worked on this for 10 years,' an ecstatic Ma said from Los Angeles yesterday.
'The Clippers have signed 17 players and we'll be introduced to the press tomorrow, and the final 14 players will be confirmed at the end of the month.
'There are three other guys in the team who play my position, but I'm confident of making the team roster.' The Clippers' first warm-up game has been scheduled for next Friday against the Orlando Magic and their second match will be against the Sacramento Kings two days later.
Ma, who played an important role in Energy's Hong Kong Super Kung Sheung Cup triumph in June, is keeping his fingers crossed he will be given an early opportunity to prove himself in those games.
He said: 'Getting drafted is a giant step towards realising my dream of playing in the NBA, but the next three weeks will make or break my career.