BEIJING - Chinese basketball officials said Nuggets prospect Xue Yuyang is not ready for the NBA and will not be allowed to play in America next season.
"It's an internal matter that we are going to work through the proper channels to resolve," Nuggets spokesman Tommy Sheppard said.
Dallas picked the 7-foot center 57th overall in Thursday's draft then traded him to Denver for a second-round pick in 2004. In a statement to Chinese newspapers, the Chinese Basketball Association said Xue's participation in the draft broke regulations.
The statement added that Xue needed to "train with the national team, play in international competitions, build up experience, improve his skills and strengthen himself physically for the grueling competition of the NBA."
HOUSTON 64, SAN ANTONIO 49: Michelle Snow scored a career-high 19 for the host Comets. The Comets led by 19 in the first half but the Silver Stars cut the lead to 48-45 with 7:16 left. Snow and Tina Thompson then led a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach.
CHARLOTTE 69, CONNECTICUT 55: Andrea Stinson scored 15 and Teana McKiver added 14 points and a career-high nine rebounds to lead the Sting to its sixth consecutive home win. McKiver scored 12 and had six offensive rebounds in the first half despite playing only eight minutes.
PHOENIX 68, DETROIT 65: Adrian Williams had a career-high 20 points and 11 rebounds as the visiting Mercury ended the Shock's eight-game winning streak. Edwina Brown made two free throws to make it 68-65 in the final minute and Detroit's Elaine Powell missed a 3 at the buzzer.
INDIANA 79, SEATTLE 70: Tamika Catchings scored 20 and became the host Fever's career leader in rebounding. She also had a career-high seven assists.
