The Bayi Rockets' veteran center Wang Zhizhi will retire at the end of this season, the Rockets' coach Adijan said after Sunday's CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) loss to the Shanghai Sharks.

Wang started his career at Bayi in 1995 when the CBA league was founded. He was the first Chinese to play in the NBA and played for the Dallas Mavericks in 2001. Later he moved to the Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat before returning to Bayi in 2006.

The 36-year-old averaged 15.4 points in 24 games this season while Bayi are ranked 16th in the 18-team league.

Agencies - Global Times