Basketball-mad youngsters trying to emulate American stars have been warned they are risking their lives by attempting acrobatic slam-dunk shots on increasingly overcrowded Hong Kong courts.
As the NBA play-offs draw huge television audiences in the SAR, more youngsters are attempting to imitate their sporting idols and risk ending up with serious arm, leg or back injuries.
Experts warn Hong Kong basketball courts are too crowded and poorly surfaced and players who attempt slam-dunk shots could end up in hospital.
An increasing number of youngsters are reported to have been admitted to hospital in recent months with basketball-related injuries.
Tse Long-ming, a basketball coach, said more teenagers were practising slam-dunk shots.
'Many watch the games from television and then practise themselves the next day,' he said.