Trail Blazers sign NBA first Korean center
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-12-28 11:41

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed 19-year-old center Ha Seimg-Jin from South Korea, according to a statement on Monday.

Ha Seung-Jin, from South Korea, warms up before his NBA game in Portland, Oregon on December 27, 2004. Ha, the first Korean player in the NBA, was signed by the Portland Trail Blazers on December 26, 2004. [Reuters]

The 7-foot-3, 305-pound rookie, who was selected by the Trail Blazers in the second round 46th pick overall of the 2004 NBA Draft, had been playing with the Portland Reign of the American Basketball Association, said the Trail Blazers in the statement.

"We are pleased that Seung-Jin has played effectively in the ABA," Trail Blazers General Manager John Nash was quoted as saying. "And we feel that he would benefit from working with our coaches on a daily basis."

An early entry candidate for the 2004 NBA Draft, Ha Seimg-Jin is the first Korean to play in the NBA. He did not play competitive basketball during the 2003-04 season as he moved to Los Angeles to work out in preparation for the draft. He played for Yonsei University and Samil Commercial School in 2002-03 (in South Korea, students graduate from high school in February).

Ha was a driving force behind Samil's 22-game unbeaten streak in 2003, helping the school win four championships, including the high school basketball tournament at the National Sports Festival in Cheju in November 2003.

Ha averaged 11 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 19.2 minutes per game at the 2003 Junior World Championships.

The Trail Blazers return to action against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Rose Garden Monday night.

Close

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
Chinese aid joins world rescue         Tsunami death toll climbs to 52,000         Building resumes at Olympic centre         State to speed up public info flow         Property transfer protection for emigrants         Rebels strike Iraqi forces after bin Laden call	Rockets send a pair to Hornets for Wesley       Warriors defeat Nuggets 104-101       Heat-Lakers game sets new ratings mark for ABC       Rooney waits for FA verdict       Trail Blazers sign NBA first Korean center       Iverson, Nash named Players of Week